News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449

HERSETH SANDLIN STATEMENT ON AG SECRETARY NOMINATION

October 31, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today in response to President George W. Bush’s nomination of former North Dakota Governor Edward Schafer to be the next United States Secretary of Agriculture.

"I am pleased that the President has nominated someone from the Dakotas to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. Clearly, with a Farm Bill in the balance and a number of critical decisions regarding our agriculture and energy policy looming, we need someone who understands the values, strengths and needs of producers in the upper Great Plains.

"I am hopeful that the next Secretary of Agriculture will be able to work constructively with Congress and convey to the President the vital role the Farm Bill will play in maintaining and improving a meaningful safety net for American agriculture. I believe that the Farm Bill that passed the House, as well as the version pending in the Senate, are very strong pieces of legislation that reflect the needs of producers in our state. I hope that Governor Schafer will stand with producers in support of this important bill as it heads towards the President’s desk for signature.

"I also hope that he will recognize appropriately the widespread support from producers in our part of the country for issues like mandatory country-of-origin labeling, investment in renewable energy research and development, and a strong commitment to important conservation programs. Pending his Senate confirmation, I look forward to working with Governor Schafer to advance priorities for family farming in rural America."

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Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.