Recently I've had a lot to say about new Senate Ag Committee chair Blanche Lincoln, most all of it negative. However, even though she's the chair, she's limited in her ability to really change the priorities of the committee. Sitting next to her on Ag are four powerful committee chairs: Harkin (HELP), Leahy (Judiciary), Baucus (Finance), and Conrad (Budget). Lincoln has some measure of freedom to pursue what she wants, but she has to keep those four happy. Both Leahy and Harkin are committed to conservation and organics. Additionally, Harkin comes from a corn and soy state (IA), and Leahy comes from a major dairy state (VT), so they will always represent those interests.
Lincoln herself faces two challenges in keeping her spot as Ag Committee Chair. First, she needs to get re-elected in 2010. Second, Harkin can actually take his chairmanship back from her if he wants. My hunch is the more likely of these two scenarios is Lincoln losing her election. I don't know why Harkin would take back his chairmanship unless a) Dodd decided to take HELP from Harkin or b) Harkin was REALLY REALLY unhappy with what Lincoln was doing on Ag. Translation: This is not a very likely scenario, but it is something that Lincoln will have in the back of her mind when negotiating with Harkin over bills considered by the committee.
At stake is the writing of the 2012 farm bill. As the chair during 2009-2010, Lincoln will get to write the Child Nutrition Reauthorization, but whoever is chair in 2012 will write the next farm bill and that's a BIG deal. I really, REALLY hope Lincoln's not in charge at that time. |
