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TSCRA News Update, Nov. 7, 2008
2008 Election results Senator Barack Obama has won the election and will serve as our next President. As one of America's largest agricultural organizations, we look forward to working with the Obama transition team and providing information, advice, and counsel as needed on the many challenges the next administration will face in regards to food and fuel policies. In the coming years, ranchers, farmers and rural Americans will be significantly impacted by tax policies, environmental regulations, international trade, renewable fuel subsidies, and food safety and nutrition. NCBA worked closely with the Obama campaign on each of these concerns, and we have been assured a seat at the table when decisions are made regarding these and other issues of importance to America's cattle producers. We appreciate Senator Obama's commitment to basing decisions on sound economic and scientific evidence. NCBA is eager to share the stories of our cattle producers and discuss the challenges they face today, from estate taxes that cause families to lose century-old ranches, to the high corn prices resulting from ethanol subsidies that interfere in the marketplace. Additionally, we welcome the new members of Congress that will join us in our nation's capital. We hope to build strong relationships with each of these new legislators as we have with the current members of Congress. NCBA will continue to serve as the voice of America's cattle producers in Washington, DC, and we look forward to working with President Obama and the 111th Congress to strengthen America's economy by fostering a growing and profitable beef industry. Senate Election Results In Minnesota, the race between Senator Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken was closely contested and is headed for a recount. The Alaska race between Senator Ted Stevens and Mark Begich is still too close to call. Other than these three seats, the Senate will consist of 55 Democrats, 40 Republicans, and 2 Independents. House ElectionResults In the House, the Democrat Majority grew as they picked up 23 new seatsfor the 111th Congress. Currently, the count is Democrats 259 - Republicans 176. 218 votes are needed for a simple majority passage of any bills and it takes 290 votes to override a veto. Seven House Agriculture Committee members lost their elections - Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.-2), Nick Lampson (D-Texas-22), Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.-16), Robin Hayes (R-N.C.-8) - who served as the ranking member of the House Agriculture Livestock Subcommittee, Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.-4), Randy Kulh (R-N.Y.-29) and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.-7). Also, Terry Everett (R-Ala.-2) did not seek re-election. Congress will be back in session during the week of Nov. 17 to hold new member orientation. We expect to hear about committee leadership and appointments during that time. California Proposition 2 Also of interest in the elections was the passage of California's Proposition 2, "Standards for Confining Farm Animals." The statute requires that, "calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn around freely." According to Matt Byrne, Executive Vice President of the California Cattlemen's Association, "California's cattle producers strongly opposed Proposition 2 and are extremely concerned about the troubling precedent of placing animal husbandry and food production practices in law rather than allowing the continued development of scientifically-proven animal care practices to improve food production. It is truly disappointing that out-of-state interest groups have spent millions misrepresenting our state's ranchers and farmers and limiting California consumers' access to affordable, wholesome food from humanely-treated livestock."
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