As I surmised might happen in a comment to Tom Philpott’s recent post on ag reform, "Sustainable Dozen" member Chuck Hassebrook, Tom Vilsack’s choice for deputy secretary, is having trouble getting through the Senate Ag committee. North Dakota’s Kent Conrad (D) is trying to kill Hassebrook’s nomination before it’s even officially announced. Nick Kristof has the details here (h/t Jill Richardson).
In the Senate, a single senator wields enormous power and can put a stop to any bill or nomination if he or she so chooses. With everyone’s attention on the stimulus package, this is the perfect time for a little backroom backstabbing. Should you wish to, say, register your feelings about this, the current members (and states) of the Senate Ag committee appear after the jump.
Democrats:
- Tom Harkin, Iowa (Chair)
- Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont
- Kent Conrad, North Dakota
- Max Baucus, Montana
- Blanche Lincoln, Arkansas
- Debbie Stabenow, Michigan
- Ben Nelson, Nebraska
- Sherrod Brown, Ohio
- Robert Casey Jr., Pennsylvania
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
- Kirsten Gillibrand, New York
Republicans:
- Saxby Chambliss, Georgia (Ranking Member)
- Richard G. Lugar, Indiana
- Thad Cochran, Mississippi
- Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
- Pat Roberts, Kansas
- Mike Johanns, Nebraska
- Charles Grassley, Iowa
- John Thune, South Dakota
