By Steve Pringle
Legislative Director
Contrary to what Republicans nationwide might think, the sun did come up Wednesday morning following election day.
Although the picture is certainly different nationwide, Texas remains a Republican state. Nineteen members of the Texas Congressional delegation remain Republican (one in a runoff, Dist. 23) and 12 are Democrat.
We now have, at the national level, a House of Representatives that is in Democratic hands for the first time in 12 years. It would be easy to see the sharp divide and partisan politics between Republicans and Democrats continue as usual in Washington.
For at least the next two years, it's up to the Democrats to plant seeds of change. If Democrats wish to remain the majority in the House, and hope to have any success in the election in 2008, legislative accomplishments and successes across the board are essential in the next year. Agriculture will be no exception.
At first glance, the next couple of years look promising. Collin Peterson, future chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, in a recent visit to the Texas Farm Bureau state office, pledged his support for a continuation of the commodity title provisions of the 2002 farm bill. He expressed support for maintaining the current payment limitation structure as well as expanding the energy title provisions that were in the 2002 bill. Congressman Peterson indicated strong support for agriculture's contributions in making the United States energy independent.
The major change following the election might occur in the United States Senate (it was unknown at press time if the Senate majority would stay with the Republicans or go to the Democrats). Current Senate Agriculture Chairman Saxby Chambliss of Georgia is a staunch supporter of cotton, rice and other southern agriculture commodities. The ascension of Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa would be challenging to southern states' producers. Sen. Harkin is the author and primary sponsor of the Conservation Security Program. He can be expected to support an expansion of those provisions.
As an aside, the time to push for disaster relief for farmers and ranchers is now. This issue should not wait until the new Congress is convened. Hopefully, the current House leadership and Democrats can find common ground during the lame duck session and address issues as critical as disaster assistance. Future House Ag Committee Chairman Peterson has committed to working with leaders of both parties to provide relief. He has also expressed support for making permanent certain disaster provisions in the next farm bill. Fortunately, agriculture historically has received bipartisan support, with differences normally along regional lines. This could prove beneficial in the foreseeable future.
Ironically, with the changes in Washington D.C., it might now be easier to address issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, with the leadership of both the House and Senate being closer to President Bush and his immigration goals. As far as estate taxes, complete repeal—a long time Farm Bureau goal—is probably off the table. However, strong support and sympathy remains in Congress for agriculture and other small businesses that may be asset rich and cash poor.
While the future House leadership represents West Coast values, Texas Democrats like Chet Edwards, Henry Cuellar, Solomon Ortiz and Ruben Hinojosa will certainly remain voices of reason and hopefully help move a government of extremes to one that works together for the common good of our industry and nation.
At the state level, agriculture scored big in four races that were particularly important to its future.
It was a big victory for Democrat Joe Heflin to replace former House Speaker Pete Laney in House District 85. With Laney's retirement, Heflin and Republican candidate Jim Lantroop slugged it out in a tough campaign. It is huge that a Democrat was elected to represent a district that is 57 percent Republican. We expect Joe Heflin will do an outstanding job representing his agricultural constituents.
Getting Democrat Robby Cook back for House District 17 was essential for agriculture and rural Texas.
The opposition really went after him, but Cook prevailed by the skin of his teeth. Losing this champion for rural Texas would have been disastrous for agriculture.
A third important race for Texas agriculture was in House District 54, won by Republican Jimmie Don Aycock. A veterinarian and a cow/calf producer, Aycock is from Killeen in Bell County. He will be a great advocate for agriculture in the next legislative session.
The addition of Republican Glenn Hegar to the Senate is fantastic. We are certainly replacing our good friend Ken Armbrister, who is retiring from the Senate, with an outstanding agricultural leader.
While a sea change didn't occur in Texas, Democrats on the national level made history on Nov. 7, 2006. But will they make progress?
Stay tuned.
