Win, Lose and Stalled

With Democrats picking up several seats in the U.S. Senate last week, watch for changes in the make up of some, if not all, of its committees including the Agriculture Committee. Senate Majority Leader Reid will be pushing for additional Democrat seats in his discussions with Republican Minority Leader McConnell, as they work on the organizing resolution.

Most political observers believe it is unlikely the Farm Bill currently stalled in Congress will receive much attention during the lame duck session, with tax hikes and spending cuts, set to go into effect January 1, 2013, consuming what time remains in this session. Some believe a one-year extension is likely in early 2013, while the new Congress works on a new five-year Farm Bill.

Senate Agriculture Committee: Most of the likely changes in this important committee occurred prior to last week’s elections with Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) retiring and Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) losing his primary. Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran is looking seriously at reclaiming the post of top Republican on this Committee, setting up a challenge to Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), who has angered Southern producers with his resistance to price supports.

Senator-elect and rancher Deb Fischer (R-NE), is thought to be a very unlikely addition to the Committee, given that Senator and former USDA Secretary Mike Johanns (R-NE) already serves on the Committee. Senator-elect Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) claims to have already been offered a slot on the committee, while fellow Democrat, Joe Donnelly (D-IN), who was also an upset winner in the race to succeed Lugar, might be a possibility for the committee.

House Agriculture Committee: Prior to counting the ballots, two Republicans and three Democrats on this committee were on their way out for the next Congress, with another four members defeated on election day: Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Joe Baca (D-CA), Bobby Schilling (R-IL), and Larry Kissell (D-NC). Mike McIntyre (D-NC) is clinging to a narrow lead and facing a likely recount. Assuming he retains his lead, he will be the second most senior Democrat on the Committee. Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) are expected to retain their leadership positions.

Other Ag Related Issues: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) was a big loser on several fronts last week. A major loss for HSUS was the defeat of Measure 5 in North Dakota, a ballot initiative to make certain forms of animal cruelty a felony. HSUS’ lobbying arm spent more than $675,000 in support of the measure, which was defeated by a 65 to 35 margin.

HSUS had also targeted Rep. Steve King (R-IA) for defeat in his race against Christie Vilsack, wife of the U.S. Ag Secretary. The Humane Society Legislative Fund spent upwards of a million dollars to oppose King only to see him defeat Vilsack by eight percentage points. King has been a frequent critic of HSUS. Earlier this year, he was successful in adding an amendment to the House version of the farm bill that prohibits states from regulating the means of production of agriculture products. King believes that is what prompted the HSUS attack ads against him

Voters in North Dakota became the first to enshrine the right to farm in their state constitution, a move that some say could have far-reaching effects on genetic modification, land use and the way animals are raised.

Voters in California rejected a controversial measure that would have required labels to be placed on products containing genetically modified ingredients. Had the ballot initiative passed, California would have become the only state to require such labeling. Almost 80% of packaged foods contain some type of genetically modified seed, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association.