Beef industry organizations are supportive of U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) in her new role as chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. NCBA officials said Lincoln’s election to the position will be beneficial to cattle producers. Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association President Tommy Lalman said Lincoln “has proven herself to be a friend and leader on issues that relate to cattlemen . . ”
Lincoln was elected by the Senate Democratic Caucus following the passing of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts). She replaces U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) as Senate Ag Committee chair. Harkin will take over chairmanship of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee formerly held by Kennedy.
“I am fortunate to have served on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry since I was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998,” said Lincoln. “As a seventh generation Arkansan and farmer’s daughter, I know my father is smiling down on me today.”
Lincoln is the first person from Arkansas and the first female ever to serve as chairman of the Senate Ag Committee.