02/08/05 Scrapping from the get go?

When Thad Cochran of Mississippi decided to leave his Senate Agriculture Committee chair position for a similar role on the Appropriations Committee, one of the names that came up as a possible successor, if the Republicans retained control of the Senate in the 2004 elections, was Saxby Chambliss of Georgia. And not long after the G.O.P. increased its majority in the Senate, Chambliss was voted into the position. It was a moved praised by multiple farm groups. And it might just be that strong leadership that will aid Chambliss as he deals with a myriad of issues on his first few months of the new job. And one issue in particular has Chambliss's dander up. As the President announced yesterday his 2006 Fiscal Year budget, one of the areas that suffered cuts was agriculture. Now Chambliss will tell you he does not mind ag making a sacrifice if it means more dollars for defense spending. But he won't tolerate federal agriculture spending being the only area of the federal budget cut. CHAMBLISS: We will look at the Farm Bill and we will look to see if there's any way that we can provide assistance as long as we are treated fairly and equitably and the same as every other mandatory program. But if they try to signal out the Farm Bill, then we're going to have one heck of a fight. Now as Chambliss hinted there has been some talk about reopening the current Farm Bill as a way to save money in the proposed 2006 fiscal year budget. That is despite the fact that work begins this year on the new Farm Bill due out in 2007. But Chambliss is quick to tell people that the current Farm Bill must stay the course no matter the pressure by the Bush Administration to change it. CHAMBLISS: We got a 2002 Farm Bill that's a six year farm bill. We have farmers all across America and ranchers across America who have made their financial plans and obligations based upon the contents of that Farm Bill. And as far as I'm concerned, we don't need to make any changes what so ever in the Farm Bill. Then there was Chambliss' first hearing as Senate Ag Chair, last week's look into reopening the U.S. border to Canadian live cattle and some beef. Chambliss is among a group of lawmakers who believe U.S.D.A. is going too fast on the matter and should take a more careful approach. CHAMBLISS: I think its still premature on the part of U.S.D.A. to be firm in saying that "by golly" we're going to change the rule as written and as proposed, and its going to be done as March Seventh. Chambliss taking on the administration? Maybe, maybe not. But still Chambliss is expecting some battles in his first year as Senate Ag Chair.