WASHINGTON - Georgia Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss will chair the Senate Agriculture Committee when the 109th Congress convenes next month, Majority Leader Bill Frist said Monday.
As chairman, Chambliss will spend the next several months preparing for the new farm bill Congress plans to write in 2006. An attorney before winning election to the House in 1994, Chambliss represented the interests of peanut producers and other farmers.
He is generally supportive of the current farm law, although he acknowledged in a recent interview that lawmakers may have to curtail farm spending.
``It's given a helping hand in the tough years and in the years farmers had good years,'' Chambliss said. ``But it's been a very expensive bill. We're always concerned about budget issues.''
Chambliss declined to comment Monday on his selection, which Republicans must formalize when they convene in January.
Chambliss, 61, served on the House Agriculture Committee for eight years. He was elected to the Senate only two years ago, defeating Democratic incumbent Max Cleland, but colleagues with more seniority want to keep other chairmanships or leadership positions.
The Georgian's elevation means Kansas GOP Sen. Pat Roberts, who had more seniority on the agriculture panel, will remain as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Chambliss also will relinquish his seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In the House, current agriculture Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., is expected to keep his post.
Chambliss is Georgia's first chairman in either the House or Senate since Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn led the Armed Services Committee.
In leaving the Judiciary Committee, Chambliss will give up the subcommittee he chairs on immigration and border security issues.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Thursday
January 30th, 2025
8:24PM
