Wisconsin Ag Connection - National/World News - Senate Confirmation Hearing Set on Agriculture Nominee

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Senate Confirmation Hearing Set on Agriculture Nominee
USAgNet - 01/14/2008

A Senate confirmation hearing has been scheduled Jan. 24 for former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer, who is President Bush’s nominee to be the next secretary of Agriculture. The Agriculture Committee hearing, which will come two days after the Senate returns to work for the second session of the 110th Congress, is expected to be both swift and amicable, according to aides and lawmakers.

Bush tapped Schafer on Oct. 31 to succeed former Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, who resigned as secretary to run for the Senate seat of retiring Republican Chuck Hagel. Schafer, a Republican, served as North Dakota's governor from 1992-2000. Senators from both parties generally welcomed the pick, saying Schafer appears well qualified to head the USDA.

Deputy Secretary Charles F. Conner has been running the department since Johanns left, dealing with lawmakers from both chambers who are in the midst of writing a $286 billion overhaul of farm policy (HR 2419). The White House has threatened to veto the measure, contending both the House and Senate versions fail to make needed changes to the farm subsidy system.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson , D-Minn., says that Schafer understands agriculture in the upper Midwest, where subsidies and drought aid are considered vital. Both have drawn criticism from the administration.