Pat Roberts Bumped From Top GOP Spot on Ag Committee January 4, 2013

Roberts

Kansas Senator Pat Roberts is losing his post as the highest Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
It’s the second hard blow to the farm state’s agri-industry in a matter of weeks.
West Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp was kicked on the House Agriculture Committee last month after a dispute with House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP House Leaders.
Roberts says Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran has decided to take the top slot. Based on the senate’s Senority system, says Roberts, that’s Cochran’s right.
“No matter whether I hold the gavel, or whether I am the ranking member or whether I am a senior member, agriculture has always been a top priority of my efforts in public service. Nothing will change that,” Roberts said.
The Kansas Senator says he’ll keep a seat on the Ag panel. He also is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee.
Roberts says he’ll remain the highest Republican on the Senate’s Rules Committee. He expects that committee to have an even more important role in the new Congress that was sworn in Thursday.
“This committee will become increasingly important as I expect to play a very vigorous role in defense of minority rights, which are under attack by the Democrat Majority Leader, as well as top line issues like campaign finance reform and federal election law,” Roberts said.