Bush Nominates Agriculture Secretary
2-Term N.D. Governor Has Roots in Farming
Edward T. Schafer speaks at the White House yesterday after being nominated by President Bush to be the next agriculture secretary. The choice comes as Congress moves to pass a $288 billion farm bill.
(Pool Photo By J.h. Owen Via Getty Images)
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Thursday, November 1, 2007
President Bush yesterday nominated Edward T. Schafer, who served two terms as governor of North Dakota, to head the Department of Agriculture, an agency with a broad mandate including administration of the federal food stamp program, aiding economic development in rural America and enhancing food safety.
Bush called Schafer a natural candidate for the post, given his farm roots and experience as an entrepreneur and governor of a state where nearly a quarter of the workers hold agriculture-related jobs.
"Ed Schafer is the right choice to fill this post," Bush said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House as Schafer stood by his side. "He was a leader on agricultural issues during his eight years as governor of North Dakota."
The nomination of Schafer, the grandson of Danish immigrants who farmed the North Dakota plains, comes as Congress is moving toward passing a new $288 billion farm bill. The Senate version of the bill, passed out of committee two weeks ago, would make modest changes to subsidy programs intended to provide financial security to farmers.
"With Ed's leadership, we will work with Congress to pass a farm bill that provides farmers with a safety net, protects our lands and the environment, and spends federal tax dollars wisely," Bush said.
The five-year farm measure also covers a vast array of agriculture-related issues, including research on new biofuels, fish farming and the continued cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay. Beyond the farm bill, Bush will rely on Schafer to aid with trade negotiations and to help open foreign markets to U.S. agricultural products.
"I realize that the mission of this agency goes far beyond the services delivered to the preservation of a way of life that I believe is the foundation of this country," Schafer said.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), reacted warmly to Schafer's nomination. "I look forward to working with him and to learning his views on the new farm bill," Harkin said.
The 61-year-old Schafer is being nominated to replace former agriculture secretary Mike Johanns, who resigned in September and is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Nebraska's Chuck Hagel (R) next year.
