[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 270-278]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           EXECUTIVE SESSION

                                 ______
                                 

       NOMINATION OF MIKE JOHANNS TO BE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the 
Senate will now go to executive session and proceed to the nomination 
of Mike Johanns.
  The clerk will report the nomination.
  The legislative clerk read the nomination of Mike Johanns, of 
Nebraska, to be Secretary of Agriculture.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Georgia.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. I yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague 
from Kansas, the former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee 
under whom I served, my dear friend, Pat Roberts.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Kansas.
  Mr. ROBERTS. I thank the distinguished chairman of the Agriculture 
Committee, and, I might add, the new chairman of the committee, for 
yielding this time to me. I look forward to working with him. On behalf 
of the man whose job it is to feed America in a troubled and hungry 
world, we could not have made a better choice--I am using the editorial 
``we''--for a man to lead the Senate Agriculture Committee. He brings 
to the job extensive experience and commitment to represent not only 
the producers of Georgia but those all throughout the Nation. So I 
thank the Chairman. I look forward to working with him.
  I rise today to speak on the nomination of Governor Michael Johanns 
of Nebraska to serve as the next Secretary of Agriculture. But first I 
would like to thank our outgoing Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary 
Ann Veneman. Ann has been a longtime and dear personal friend of mine. 
While she now has accepted a new challenge as head of UNICEF; that is, 
the United Nations Children's Fund, I want to personally thank her for 
the 4 years of service she has given to this Nation. Her steadfastness 
on behalf of agriculture was inspiring to us all. So to Ann Veneman: A 
job well done.
  Her legacy will be her commitment to trade and food and agricultural 
security, which is in the best interest of all Americans. On her watch 
she dealt with some of the most difficult issues any Secretary could 
ever face: first, a threat of foot and mouth disease almost as soon as 
she took office, later followed by BSE issues and the introduction of 
something called Asian soybean rust, which is a very severe problem. 
She handled all of these problems well. And she also established a 
plant and animal disease monitoring system. Again, that will be her 
legacy.
  I also wish Governor Johanns all the best as he becomes our new 
Secretary of Agriculture. It will not be an easy job, and he knows 
that. Secretary Johanns will be forced to confront many of the same 
issues Secretary Veneman faced. He will face food safety and security 
surprises that will make it all the more important to continue to 
protect the safety and security of our food supply and the agricultural 
sector.
  He will also face challenges with regard to budget pressures, the 
farm bill reauthorization, and also continued competition--I want to 
emphasize this--if not an outright ambush to U.S. farm programs through 
the World Trade Organization. That is going to be a very big challenge 
to all of us.
  Mike Johanns is up to and qualified for this task. I had the pleasure 
to visit at length with the Governor prior to his confirmation hearing. 
I attended the entire hearing. Actually, I had the gavel when we moved 
the nomination. Knowing the Governor from a neighboring State, I can 
tell you he has a passion for this job. He has committed to do well on 
behalf of our farmers, ranchers, food safety, and our nutrition 
programs.

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  The Department of Agriculture is an immense agency, and he is well 
qualified for this task. He was raised on a farm. He understands 
agriculture. Most important, he is someone who will be a bully pulpit 
champion, if you will, for production agriculture. He is the type who 
will certainly be willing to sit on the wagon tongue with the farmers 
and ranchers, asking for their advice and their suggestions.
  I have heard many stories from the Kansas producers on the northern 
borders of Kansas who have told me of crossing the border to Nebraska, 
not for a football game but simply on business, walking into the local 
coffee shop, and there they would run into Governor Johanns and he 
would be carrying on the coffee shop conversations with his farmers. 
This is the kind of man we want in this position.
  President Bush has picked an outstanding candidate in nominating Mike 
Johanns, the former Governor of Nebraska. I look forward to working 
with him. I urge my colleagues to support the swift approval of his 
nomination.
  I again thank the distinguished chairman and yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Georgia.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. I thank the Senator from Kansas for his very kind 
comments and also for his support of the nomination of Governor 
Johanns. I, of course, rise to support that nomination by the President 
of the United States of Governor Michael Johanns of Nebraska to serve 
as Secretary of Agriculture.
  I, too, want to first thank our outgoing Secretary, Ann Veneman, for 
the great job she has done. She has faced some very serious challenges 
over the last 4 years. I have continually pointed out to folks involved 
in agriculture, as I have spoken to groups around the country, the 
terrific job she personally as well as her Department did relative to 
the potential BSE issue that arose in the northwestern part of our 
country several months ago.
  I thought it was a prime example of the difference in the way our 
system works, particularly under APHIS, which is an organization that 
does exactly what it is supposed to do, and that is to make sure 
animals are inspected in an appropriate way before they come into the 
United States, versus countries that simply do not have in place the 
mechanisms that we do to try to prohibit this very terrible disease 
from spreading among livestock. I thought Secretary Veneman herself, by 
engaging immediately on this issue, showed strong leadership. I believe 
it was because of that that this issue faded very quickly, as it should 
have.
  Following September 11, we have had a continuing issue of food 
security. We have been very fortunate, but I believe it is more than 
that. It is a situation where we have had strong leadership in USDA, 
under Secretary Veneman, that has been on top of the issue of food 
safety. As a result of that strong leadership, we have not encountered 
a potential terrorist attack on our food system.
  I compliment her for the great leadership she has shown. She was 
willing to come to my State early on in her tenure. Having grown up and 
been involved in a peach farm in California, she particularly 
appreciated coming to a peach farm in Georgia where, as I told her, we 
grow much sweeter peaches, but that is always for debate.
  But she made herself very knowledgeable of southeastern agricultural 
issues, which are a little bit different from California issues. I 
appreciate her from that standpoint. We wish her well in her new 
endeavor, and I know she is going to be very successful there.
  I want to say on behalf of Governor Johanns that he is 
extraordinarily well prepared and qualified for this new challenge 
which the President is giving him.
  He grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. He served two terms as mayor of 
Lincoln, NE, and he is in his second term as Governor of that State. He 
has shown outstanding leadership during his tenure as Governor, which 
will serve him well in managing the diverse and important activities of 
the Department of Agriculture. As leader of a major agricultural State, 
the Governor is obviously familiar with the issues that are important 
to farmers and ranchers.
  He has been a leader in the Western Governors Association on drought 
issues, and has led five trade missions to expand overseas markets for 
American agricultural products.
  I want to emphasize that all of us who have been involved in 
agriculture, as I have from the legislative side for the last 10 years, 
know and understand that the future and survival of the American 
farmers is their ability to export the finest quality of agricultural 
products that are grown anywhere in the world. Those export markets are 
critical. Governor Johanns brings a particularly unique strength and 
perspective to that aspect of agriculture. I am very pleased about that 
fact.
  He has also been a leader on other issues that are critical to the 
very diverse mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He has been 
a strong voice for rural economic development. He is a past chairman of 
the Governors Ethanol Coalition, and knows the potential of value-added 
agriculture. He serves as chairman of the Governors Biotechnology 
Partnership, and has fostered electronic government and technology 
applications in his State.
  On January 6, Governor Johanns appeared for his nomination hearing 
before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry which I 
have the privilege to chair. For nearly 3 hours he answered questions 
on a wide range of subjects, and made a clear and positive impression 
on members of the committee. His compassion and understanding of the 
issues was so evident that committee members voted to approve his 
nomination that same day by a unanimous vote of 20 to zero.
  Today in his inauguration address, the President made a direct 
outreach to all Members of the Senate, and showed a willingness to 
cooperate in a bipartisan way to try to enact positive legislation in 
this body.
  I am very proud of the fact that the committee which I chair in a 
very bipartisan fashion, including the Presiding Officer, voted out 
unanimously the nomination of Governor Johanns.
  To my ranking member, Tom Harkin, I appreciate his cooperation in 
this effort. He has been very forthright in his discussions with 
Governor Johanns, and he has also been very forthright and forceful in 
his support of Governor Johanns for this nomination.
  I congratulate the President on his choice to lead the Department of 
Agriculture for the next 4 years.
  I appreciate Governor Johanns' commitment to continue an outstanding 
record of public service, and I recommend to my colleagues that they 
all support his nomination.
  At this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the Senator from 
Nebraska, Senator Hagel.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, thank you.
  I first offer my congratulations to the new chairman of the Senate 
Agriculture Committee. We are pleased about Senator Chambliss's new 
assignment and responsibilities. I very much appreciate his taking on 
these new responsibilities at a time that will be critical for American 
agriculture as we work our way toward the reform bill, as well as 
central issues that will face our country directly connected to 
American agriculture.
  I rise this afternoon to add my congratulations to the President's 
nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, the Nebraska Governor, Mike 
Johanns. I have known Mike Johanns for many years. We have worked very 
closely over the last few years. He has ably served the State of 
Nebraska during a difficult time.
  As the Agriculture Committee noted in its hearings for Governor 
Johanns, he is eminently qualified. His background is well known. He is 
prepared, and he will be a very effective Secretary.
  I might add, one of the reasons many of us are so enthusiastic about 
Mike Johanns doing this job is that he understands not only American 
agriculture but he understands trade. He understands geopolitical 
strategic

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issues that are connected to our agriculture, our economy, and trade.
  He understands that these great issues of our time are woven into the 
same fabric. They are within the great arc of national interest for 
America. He has the kind of stature and the kind of character that we 
never see enough of in Washington.
  For those reasons, and for many others, I am enthusiastic, as are so 
many of us, about Mike Johanns taking on the job of Secretary of 
Agriculture.
  We will miss him in Nebraska. His steady leadership has brought 
Nebraska through a difficult time of deficits, not unlike other States. 
He has performed not only well but he has built a value-added system 
not only in our economy but in our government in Nebraska. He will be 
succeeded by a very able Lieutenant Governor, Dave Heineman, whom we 
also wish well.
  As I conclude, I add my thanks to Secretary Veneman's service to our 
country and to American agriculture over the last 4 years. She too has 
had to deal with many of the uncontrollables that are part of that 
portfolio--a difficult job. She deserves recognition for the kind of 
job she has done. She has done it just as Mike Johanns will do his 
job--with class, with dignity, always reaching out to others, as well 
as working closely with the Congress.
  The last point I will make is whatever was said by the Senator from 
Kansas about Nebraska football is not to be taken seriously.
  Other than that, I think my time is up. Thank you, Mr. President. I 
yield the floor.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, we will not ask for bowl scores at this 
time.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, the position of Secretary of Agriculture, 
in my estimation, is one of the most important, yet too often 
unheralded, positions in the Federal Government. Good leadership by the 
Secretary is vitally important in my State of Iowa, where agriculture 
is critical to our economy and we treasure our way of life in small 
towns and rural communities. Yet no matter where one lives, we all 
depend on agriculture for food, fiber and, increasingly, for energy and 
other farm-based products. The day-to-day responsibilities of the 
Secretary of Agriculture truly touch the lives of every American as 
well as millions of others around the world.
  It is my pleasure to congratulate Governor Michael Johanns of 
Nebraska on his confirmation to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. I 
have spoken with Governor Johanns in some depth on several occasions 
and believe he has the qualities and potential to be a very good 
Secretary. I might add, his Iowa pedigree is certainly a plus. I also 
thank and commend Secretary Ann Veneman, as she departs, for her good 
work and her cooperation and communication with me, as well as the same 
between our staffs, over the years.
  As we look ahead to the next 4 years, there are many challenges and 
many opportunities ahead. We passed a good farm bill in 2002, President 
Bush praised it and signed it. For the most part it has been working, 
but too many of the key initiatives in that bill have suffered from 
misguided or delayed implementation. Yet even though we stayed within 
our budget in writing the farm bill, since then agriculture and farm 
bill funding has been very damagingly siphoned off. Those budget 
threats seem certain to intensify. The risks to food safety and 
security from bovine spongiform encephalopathy or other animal and 
plant diseases continue to make headlines. The new Secretary will have 
to deal with some very serious issues many of them very soon.
  At the same time, we have some great opportunities in agriculture and 
the rural economy; that is, if only we will seize them. I am encouraged 
that Governor Johanns understands the importance of capitalizing on 
these opportunities, specifically value-added agriculture spanning the 
range from pork and beef to the great potential to produce energy and 
biobased products from farm fields across the country.
  For instance, we adopted a provision in the farm bill to require all 
Federal departments and agencies to give a preference to procuring 
biobased products whenever feasible thus creating a huge potential 
market. While USDA has issued final rules to carry out this program, 
nothing will actually be purchased until a list of eligible products is 
published. I have urged Governor Johanns to move to implement this 
program fully and without further delay in order to begin realizing the 
economic and environmental benefits of this biobased initiative.
  We also included a very robust conservation title in the 2002 farm 
bill, one that was touted by the president when he signed the bill into 
law. Unfortunately, many of those initiatives, including the 
Conservation Security Program, have been undermined by funding cuts and 
too-often poor execution. I have talked with Governor Johanns about 
these problems, and I am hopeful that we will work together to fulfill 
the promise of the farm bill and move forward on these important 
conservation initiatives so that farmers and ranchers have the tools 
they need to be the best stewards of the land they can be.
  We also have a history of bipartisan cooperation to meet our 
responsibilities to alleviate hunger and malnutrition through Federal 
and international food and nutrition assistance. And increasingly, we 
face compelling challenges in improving diets and nutrition in order to 
promote healthier and longer lives.
  Many other issues important to prosperity and quality of life in 
rural America must be addressed ranging from providing broadband access 
to boosting locally owned businesses and jobs to ensuring opportunities 
for family-size farms and independent producers.
  I am optimistic that we can make real progress in addressing these 
and other challenges in food, agriculture and rural issues. I welcome 
Governor Johanns to Washington, congratulate him on his confirmation as 
the next Secretary of Agriculture and remind him that my door is always 
open.
  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. Mr. President, the United States is blessed 
with an abundance of natural resources and cutting-edge technology that 
leads the world in agriculture. We all agree that the richest resource 
of American agriculture is its people the--farm and ranch families--
whose efforts drive the productivity of our Agriculture industry for 
food, fiber and fuel.
  American agriculture today is a complex business, very different from 
what it was even a decade ago. Adoption of modern technology, improved 
mechanization, and changing methods of production, marketing, and 
financing by energetic farmers and ranchers has changed the landscape 
of our rural areas. Our producers, diversified by size and enterprise, 
support an economic system that is, without doubt, the envy of the 
world.
  It's critical to understand the diversity of American agriculture and 
how it influences our daily lives--whether we work or we don't work in 
agriculture or whether we live or we don't live on a farm. This is why 
I support the nomination of Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns to lead this 
agency that is responsible for the safety of meat, poultry and egg 
products, for opening new markets and reopening those currently closed 
to U.S. agricultural products, for providing food aid to those who have 
the need, for protecting soil, water and wildlife, and for 
administering food nutrition programs.
  Governor Johanns' qualifications to lead the Department of 
Agriculture are--at the core--his upbringing and his receptiveness to 
change and diversification--essential elements for an industry driven 
by ingenuity and fair competition.
  Nebraska is a world-class leader in producing a high-quality, 
abundant, and affordable food supply. It leads the Nation in total red 
meat and dry bean production, and is a significant player in the 
production of alfalfa hay, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, winter wheat, 
livestock, and popcorn.
  Nearly 8 million acres of Nebraska's field crops benefit from 
irrigation, through approximately 24,000 miles of streams and rivers, 
reservoirs and aquifers. In recent years, the importance of maintaining 
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quantity in times of severe drought conditions has added to the 
complexity of agricultural production. Mike Johanns has governed in 
these times of great uncertainty and is well aware of the continuing 
needs to deal with these most difficult times.
  Governor Johanns presents a list of qualifications that will be of 
considerable benefit not only to Nebraska and the Midwest, but 
throughout the nation.
  He is an experienced leader and a strong advocate with solid common 
sense solutions to the difficult questions presented to him. We've 
talked about the need for a bipartisan approach in this important job 
and I know he agrees how important that will be.
  I look forward to continue working with Governor Johanns, as 
Secretary of Agriculture to improve drought monitoring and forecasting, 
to advance renewable fuels initiatives increasing the use of ethanol 
and biodiesel in our transportation fuels just to name a few. In 
addition, the opportunity to create new and innovative rural 
development programs and reverse the trend of out-migration from the 
smallest communities has never been more important. Today's nominee not 
only has the leadership experience but he also has the experience of 
having worked to develop such programs.
  Governor Johanns and I have discussed and agree that it is important 
for the Secretary of Agriculture to work in a bipartisan manner with 
Congress. With a Farm Bill reauthorization effort nearing, I look 
forward to working cooperatively with him to develop a practical 
approach to our national agriculture policy that will support and 
promote our agriculture products and producers. The new Farm Bill 
should further the goals of consumer safety and confidence in our 
nation's food supply, without compromising the ability of our producers 
to compete--freely and fairly--in the global marketplace.
  I was pleased to learn of the administration's selection of Mike 
Johanns as the Secretary of Agriculture. I have said repeatedly, and 
believe thoroughly, the person who will administer the farm bill and 
build for the future of agriculture in America needs to be somebody 
with Midwestern agricultural experience. Governor Johanns has that kind 
of experience and that perspective and in my opinion will serve the 
administration and the country well.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today the Senate is expected to confirm 
the nomination of Governor Michael Johanns of Nebraska to be the next 
Secretary of Agriculture.
  As we vote on this nomination, we should all recognize just how 
important this position is to America's farmers and ranchers. Beyond 
that, the Secretary's responsibilities touch the lives of every 
American consumer as well as millions of people overseas. This is a 
point that is being made daily as we seek to provide the needed food 
aid and assistance to those who have suffered such terrible losses as a 
result of the recent tsunami.
  There isn't any question that American agriculture faces significant 
challenges on many fronts. It is incumbent upon all of us to be the 
strongest advocates we can be for our producers and their communities. 
However, the Secretary of Agriculture is unique. The Secretary must 
provide national leadership and advocacy to promote a greater 
understanding of the important role our agricultural producers play in 
our own society and the world.
  The Secretary's role must be more than just the spokesperson for the 
administration on agricultural issues. In fact, I believe that one of 
the most important responsibilities of this position is to be an 
advocate within the administration to ensure our producers, consumers 
and rural communities are not short-changed in the domestic and 
international policy and political processes.
  Governor Johanns will have a very big job as we confront the 
pressures that are being placed on agriculture as a result of the 
budget deficit, weather related disasters, increased food safety and 
bio-terrorism concerns, environmental issues and opportunities related 
to agriculture, the economic development needs in rural America, and 
the level of insecurity that an increasing number of farmers, ranchers 
and rural main street businesses are feeling as a result of 
globalization.
  I am hopeful our new Secretary of Agriculture will provide the 
leadership necessary to address these issues in a way that advances the 
interests of all agricultural sectors while enhancing the appreciation 
of Americans for our agricultural heritage.
  Two weeks ago I supported the action of the Senate Agriculture, 
Nutrition and Forestry Committee to advance this nomination to the full 
Senate with a positive recommendation. Today I offer my support for the 
action the Senate is about to take in confirming Governor Michael 
Johanns as our next Secretary of Agriculture.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of Governor Mike Johanns as the Secretary of Agriculture. As the 
Governor of Nebraska, and a fellow Midwesterner, Johanns has a strong 
background in agriculture and is well suited for the role of Secretary 
of Agriculture.
  I was able to meet with Governor Johanns yesterday and I was very 
impressed with his view on the future of agriculture, food safety and 
rural issues. The next four years are going to be an important time as 
we face the reauthorization of the farm bill, food safety concerns, 
nutrition and trade.
  Agriculture is important to my home State of Illinois. Illinois is 
one of our country's most important agricultural contributors. Illinois 
farm land, which accounts for about 28 million acres, is considered 
some of the most productive in the world. More than 76,000 farm 
families in the State produce corn, soybeans, wheat, beef, pork, dairy 
products, and specialty crops. Illinois is the number one soybean-
producing State in the country and number two in corn. Illinois ranks 
second nationally in the export of agricultural commodities with nearly 
$4 billion worth of goods shipped to other countries each year. The 
State's agribusiness activity is vibrant. From the Chicago area to 
Decatur and throughout Illinois, agricultural processing employs 
thousands of people. And researchers at the University of Illinois as 
well as at other institutions, continue to help provide answers to some 
of the most common as well as the most complex, agricultural questions 
we face.
  Since Governor Johanns was the past chairman of the Governors' 
Ethanol Coalition, I know he sees the potential of value added 
agriculture. Adding values to commodities adds real promise for 
boosting farm income and jobs and economic growth in rural America. 
Illinois ranks second in the nation in corn production, with more than 
1.5 billion bushels produced annually, and is the nation's leading 
source of clean-burning ethanol. Corn grown in Illinois is used to make 
40% of the ethanol consumed in the United States. In Illinois, roughly 
one in every six rows of corn--approximately 280 million bushels--is 
the source for ethanol.
  As the Secretary of Agriculture, Governor Johanns will face 
unprecedented challenges in protecting the safety and security of our 
food supply.
  The recent discovery of two more cows with BSE, or ``mad cow 
disease,'' in Canada reminds us that we cannot ignore the threat of 
BSE. We must shore up the firewalls that prevent BSE from spreading in 
this country, to give American consumers confidence that the beef they 
feed to their families is safe to eat.
  We need a scientifically sound testing program that will tell us 
whether our BSE control efforts are working. A surveillance program 
should include older cattle that appear healthy but that can still 
harbor BSE. Almost a year ago, USDA promised to include cattle in this 
population in its surveillance, but still hasn't started this testing.
  We must stop feeding cows to other cows, the practice that is thought 
to have led to the spread of mad cow disease in Europe. We have had a 
feed ban in this country since 1997, but we need to close loopholes in 
the ban and redouble our efforts to make sure that the ban is being 
followed.

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  We must make sure that the parts of cattle that pose the highest risk 
of infection are being correctly and completely removed.
  Our primary goal should be to protect the health of the public, and 
the health of the animal herds in the United States.
  I look forward to working with Secretary-Designate Johanns to make 
sure our nation's BSE prevention and control program earns and deserves 
the public's confidence.
  An issue I care deeply about is food safety. When HHS Secretary Tommy 
Thompson announced he was stepping down last month, he noted several 
items of unfinished business that the government must address. Among 
them, he mentioned the importance of improving the nation's food 
security.
  Secretary Thompson said that he worries ``every single night'' about 
a massive attack on the U.S. food supply. Thompson said: ``I, for the 
life of me, cannot understand why the terrorists have not, you know, 
attacked our food supply, because it is so easy to do.''
  If this is not a clear call to action, I don't know what is.
  I hope to count on Secretary Johanns for support of legislation I 
plan to roll out in the next few weeks that will give the Agriculture 
Department and the Food and Drug Administration the tools they need to 
improve the security of our food supply.
  My bill would give these agencies authority to oversee implementation 
of food security measures at food processing plants; give these 
agencies the same recall authority over food that agencies like the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission exercise over toys; and improve 
information coordination among the food safety agencies to diffuse 
potential threats to the food supply.
  I also hope Secretary Johanns will be able to see beyond the 
bureaucratic morass that has developed at the agencies charged with the 
safety of our food and help us move towards making the vision of 
creating a single agency responsible for food safety a reality.
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 76 
million people suffer from food poisoning every year, with children and 
the elderly suffering a disproportionate amount of the most serious 
cases. We need, at the very least, to improve the coordination of the 
food agencies' oversight while working towards the goal of developing a 
single food safety agency.
  I would also hope that Johanns plans to play a key role in advising 
the administration on the appointment of a new food safety chief to 
replace the outgoing Elsa Murano at the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service. We need a person in this important position that has a 
commitment to food safety over other agricultural interests as the 
agency faces challenges including implementing a strategy to keep Mad 
Cow disease out of the country.
  In my meeting with Governor Johanns I was pleased to hear him mention 
trade. As I mentioned before, Illinois ranks second nationally in the 
export of agricultural commodities with nearly $4 billion worth of 
goods shipped to other countries each year. Japan has closed its 
markets to our beef for over a year. We must take a strong position to 
reopen this market. Our trading partners have got to be held 
accountable for dealing with our country in a straightforward way.
  As the leader of a major agriculture state, Governor Johanns is 
familiar with issues of importance to farmers and ranchers. I will 
support his nomination as Secretary of Agriculture and look forward to 
working with him on issues facing the Department of Agriculture.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I will vote to confirm the nomination of 
Secretary-Designate Mike Johanns to serve our Nation as United States 
Department of Agriculture, USDA, Secretary. It is with no small 
obligation or minor imposition that this honor and responsibility fall 
upon Mr. Johanns, as he functions in his best capacity to fairly 
represent our varied and diverse regional issues in American 
agriculture. Our national agriculture sector is highly fractionalized 
as States seek to ensure representation for specific commodities and 
Farm Bill programs, and I am concerned, however optimistic, that Mr. 
Johanns will do his due diligence to ensure our South Dakotan and 
plains states interests are well represented at the Federal level and 
by USDA.
  Of immediate concern is the current status of the beef industry. 
While USDA forges ahead with their final rule to allow the importation 
of live Canadian cattle and ruminant products, I am alarmed for the 
implications on our beef sector and our producers' ability to make the 
bottom line. I am concerned for the inaccessible export markets that 
continually seem less reachable with USDA's treatment of this issue. I 
am continually dismayed that USDA appears to place the interests of 
Canadian cattle producers above the interests of domestic producers, 
and I am hopeful that Mr. Johanns will place this issue at the 
forefront of his agenda while assuming his position as Secretary. I am 
hopeful that Mr. Johanns will listen to the voice of the American 
agricultural producer and recognize the immediacy and timeliness of the 
issue.
  I am optimistic that Mr. Johanns will implement mandatory Country of 
Origin Labeling, COOL, which, while signed into law by this current 
President under this most recent arm Bill, has yet to be implemented. 
It is with increasing frustration that our producers await the benefits 
of this common sense program, and while it has been no secret that the 
administration is not favorable toward a mandatory food labeling 
program, I am hopeful that Mr. Johanns will honor the voice of Congress 
and of the American producer and move forward with the implementation 
process in a reasonable and honorable manner.
  The business of agriculture is becoming increasingly challenging for 
our small farmers and producers. Market concentration and vertical 
integration, unreasonable contract obligations, maintaining and 
developing export markets to garner a fair commodity price, and a 
serious disconnect between urban and rural America are driving our 
smaller farmers out of business on a daily basis. It is with no small 
sense of urgency that I emphasize the need to address these issues. I 
am hopeful, that as promised, Mr. Johanns will maintain an open door 
policy for members of Congress to discuss these issues and arrive at 
reasonable policy solutions that are valuable and substantive for the 
agriculture producer, in South Dakota and across America.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, as the U.S. Congress begins its 109th 
session, the Senate is performing its constitutional duty of providing 
its advice and consent on the President's nominees for cabinet 
positions.
  I take the Senate's responsibility to evaluate Presidential 
nominations very seriously. The process is important to ensuring strong 
leadership at the very highest levels of the federal government. It 
also provides an opportunity for Senators to have focused discussions 
with nominees on issues of particular importance to their respective 
constituencies.
  Today the Senate will confirm several nominees, including the 
nomination of Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns, the President's selection 
to succeed Secretary Veneman at the Department of Agriculture.
  While I am not a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition and Forestry, I am confident that Chairman Chambliss, ranking 
member Harkin and the rest of the committee's members conducted a 
thorough examination of Governor Johanns' record. I will support the 
committee's recommendation and vote in favor of his nomination.
  That being said, I have come to the floor today to express my 
thoughts on two specific agricultural issues that are important to 
Washington state's renowned beef industry: mad cow disease and country 
of origin labeling.
  On December 23, 2003, the first known case of mad cow disease ever 
discovered on U.S. soil was found in Washington State. The discovery 
sent a ripple effect across the country as U.S. ranchers watched in 
shock while our trading partners closed their doors to U.S. beef 
exports.

[[Page 275]]

  An investigation was conducted and DNA tests confirmed that this cow 
likely originated in a herd from Alberta, Canada, but this was little 
consolation to consumers here and abroad who immediately began to 
question whether U.S. beef was safe to eat.
  While the exact cause of infection could not be confirmed, it is 
widely accepted by the science community that this cow became infected 
while eating contaminated feed before Canada had implemented its 1997 
ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban.
  The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug 
Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture responded by 
announcing a number of new rules to strengthen protections over the 
human food. Most importantly, USDA and FDA banned specified risk 
materials, such as brain and central nervous system tissues from 
entering the human food supply. These materials have been shown to 
present the greatest risk of transmitting mad cow disease through 
cattle herds and to humans.
  Unfortunately, FDA failed to stand firm on its stated commitment to 
close four specific loopholes in feed regulations, measures that Acting 
FDA Commissioner Crawford made a commitment to do on January 26, 2004 
and something that I believe was and is necessary to fully ensure the 
safety of U.S. beef.
  As we know, feeding ruminant parts back to ruminants represents one 
of the greatest risks of spreading mad cow disease and that's why the 
U.S., like Canada, implemented a rule to ban this practice in 1997. But 
existing feed loopholes, such as the poultry litter loophole and plate 
waste loophole allow for the possibility of ruminant materials to find 
their way into ruminant feed through cross contamination.
  To address this possibility, I introduced legislation during the 
108th Congress, entitled the Animal Feed Protection Act, which would 
ban these materials from being used in any animal feed. This is 
important legislation that will strengthen existing feed rules to help 
mitigate the chance of cross contamination and ensure that ruminant 
materials are not accidentally fed to cattle.
  Although my legislation did not pass last year, I plan to reintroduce 
the Animal Feed Protection Act for consideration during the 109th 
Congress next week. U.S. beef is arguably the safest in the world, but 
even so, critical export markets including Japan and South Korea still 
remain closed to U.S beef exports. It is imperative that we do 
everything possible to prove to consumers abroad that the measures we 
have in place to prevent further cases of mad cow are robust and 
comprehensive.
  It was reassuring to hear Governor Johanns state, during his 
nomination hearing, that working to regain exports to Japan's market is 
priority number one for the U.S. beef industry.
  As I know the Governor understands, access to these markets is the 
key to bringing prosperity back to U.S. cattle producers, feeders, 
processors and beef packers. No one understands the importance of the 
Japanese and South Korean markets better than the ranchers in 
Washington state, who exported nearly $250 million of Washington beef 
to these markets in 2003. It is hard to overstate the extent to which 
Washington ranchers and the U.S. beef industry at large continue to 
suffer from the loss of these exports.
  Although progress has been made, recent discoveries of mad cow in 
Canada could present a major setback to our ongoing negotiations with 
Japan and South Korea if it is determined that the risk of mad cow in 
Canada has not been adequately addressed.
  Canada's discoveries of mad cow on January 2 and January 11 came just 
days after USDA announced a rule recognizing Canada as a minimal-risk 
region with regard to the mad cow disease.
  The USDA defends this decision by citing the results of a risk 
analysis that the agency conducted in 2004. That analysis examined the 
reliability and adequacy of Canada's mad cow firewalls in eradicating 
this disease in its herds. The agency's analysis determined that Canada 
had a robust and comprehensive system in place to address all of the 
necessary risks of transmitting mad cow disease and had implemented 
proper safeguards to ensure the safety of its beef.
  Thus, the USDA published a minimal risk rule in the January 4, 2005 
Federal Register. That rule will authorize the reopening of our border 
to the importation of Canadian live cattle under the age of 30 months 
and other beef products from cattle over the age of 30 months beginning 
on March 7 of this year.
  However, Canada's latest discovery of mad cow on January 11 has 
raised serious questions regarding the possibility of non-compliance of 
feed regulations in Canada and questions as to the reliability of 
Canada's system to enforce its mad cow firewalls. Because the cow was 
determined to be less than seven years of age and thus was born after 
Canada implemented its 1997 ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban, many have 
speculated that non-compliance of feed rules represents the most likely 
source of this infection.
  In responding to this discovery, Administrator Ron DeHaven of the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, announced that the 
agency would expedite sending a technical team to Canada to investigate 
the circumstances surrounding these recent discoveries.
  Last Friday, I sent a letter to Secretary Veneman and Governor 
Johanns requesting that this audit being conducted by APHIS inspectors 
be given time for a full and fair analysis. I think it is prudent for 
the USDA to provide the time and resources necessary to reach a 
determination as to the safety of Canadian beef before we reopen our 
border to its importation.
  I believe that USDA must reevaluate reopening the border should 
serious non-compliance of feed regulations or lapses in Canada's 
enforcement of mad cow firewalls be uncovered.
  Reestablishing the once dominant global market share enjoyed by U.S. 
beef producers is ultimately about product reliability and consumer 
confidence.
  It is vital that we address Canadian safety issues now, so that we 
can prevent running the risk of importing potentially unsafe products. 
While I understand that reopening the border is important to the 
Canadian beef industry, our primary responsibility is to ensure the 
safety of our food supply here at home.
  As world markets continue to converge becoming more and more 
interdependent, securing our domestic food supply requires much more 
work than it once did. We have an opportunity to aid our consumers by 
implementing mandatory country of origin labeling.
  I believe such labeling is important for two major reasons--first, 
the security of our food supply; and second, the American consumer's 
right-to-know where their food was produced.
  In 2002, I joined with my Senate colleagues in support of the farm 
bill, which, among other things, required that the USDA implement 
mandatory country of origin labeling standards by 2004. These 
provisions were supported by a wide margin of members in Congress, 
receiving nearly two-thirds support in the House. Even so, some who 
have fought the implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling 
every step of the way.
  Last year, Congress decided to push back the date of implementation 
of mandatory labeling until September 2006 on all goods except for fish 
and shellfish. The justification was that we needed to ``reconsider'' 
its economic implications.
  While I understand that labeling will come with increased costs, I 
believe that a failure to establish full accountability as to where our 
food is coming from could end up costing our consumers, businesses and 
government far more, should tainted beef or other unsafe products enter 
our food supply.
  Whether in the case of an outbreak of mad cow or a biological 
terrorist plot that infects food imported into our country, we need to 
have a definite and immediate system to target the source of our food 
and, if necessary, provide the American people a clear way to identify 
the food and stop consumption.

[[Page 276]]

  The expansion of international agricultural trade has exponentially 
increased the options available to Americans as they peruse the shelves 
at their local grocery store. Imported foods are grown in widely 
varying conditions around the world, often in countries with 
drastically different regulatory contexts that allow the utilization of 
pesticides and growing practices which are banned here in the U.S.
  As I previously stated, I support labeling for the benefits that it 
will bring to ensuring safety, but also because I believe that American 
consumers have the right to know where their food comes from. We have 
no control over the methods utilized by other countries to produce 
their goods, but we can control whether or not foreign products 
maintain the information necessary for American consumers to make an 
informed decision.
  American consumers must be able to assess information on imported 
products to determine whether it is important to them.
  Today, consumers are increasingly faced with the daunting task of 
sifting through vast amounts of packaging and labeling to obtain the 
information most critical to them.
  Americans, for too long, have been knowingly exposed to foreign 
products without being provided with adequate information.
  The issue of labeling our agricultural products, including beef, 
comes down to this: Do we want consumers to have confidence--and do we 
want consumers to have choice? Even though public opinion surveys show 
that U.S. consumers want to buy american products, those consumers 
don't always have the information necessary to make that choice.
  I know that most consumers from my State would much rather buy and 
consume U.S. beef. This is because it is important to them that they 
are able to rely on the quality of the product and the safety of 
methods used in its production.
  It is important to Washingtonians that the beef they purchase comes 
from a cow that was fed under American standards for feed safety--beef 
that had to be processed under strong American standards and beef that 
has met a set of standards that allows consumers to feel confident of 
its safety and its quality.
  Some will argue that we already use USDA labels to indicate whether 
beef is produced in the U.S. however, the grade label from the USDA, 
which a lot of consumers might think means that beef was American made, 
is often stamped on packages that contain imported beef mixed in with 
just a small percentage of American beef.
  Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, cattle and other bulk or non-
processed products must be clearly labeled as to their country of 
origin. However, once those products are brought into the U.S. and 
value-added processing occurs, the law does not mandate that 
information indicating the country of origin be included on the final 
products that ultimately reach the consumer.
  This is an important issue that Congress must address.
  Families sitting at the dinner table should not have to wonder about 
what went into the food they eat. They should be provided the 
information to know what they are consuming. To put it simply, 
consumers deserve better accountability.
  Cattlemen in Washington State are proud of the beef they raise and 
are willing to trust their livelihood to the choices made by informed 
American consumers.
  The USDA stamp should represent the quality and safety of American 
products--not a mark that in some instances will mislead consumers into 
just thinking that they are buying American quality. A product's 
country of origin should be information that is included all of the way 
from the border to the store shelf.
  Last fall, Craig Grub, a Medical Lake rancher said: ``Consumers 
deserve to be able to make an educated choice. They should have 
implemented Mandatory labeling years ago.'' Producers like Mr. Grub 
support mandatory county of origin labeling because they understand and 
appreciate the importance of food safety and consumer choice in 
America.
  Regardless of whether we work through the legislative or rulemaking 
processes, I believe that the implementation of a greater standard of 
accountability over imported products is imperative to better ensure 
food safety for our consumers here at home.
  There is a lot of work that remains in order for this country to 
achieve this goal and I am confident that Governor Johanns is committed 
to working to this end. I will vote in support of his nomination. I am 
eager to begin working with him on reopening Asian markets to U.S. beef 
as well as to collaborate and promote opportunities for all U.S. 
agricultural products abroad.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of 
Governor Johanns to be Secretary of Agriculture. I very much look 
forward to working with him on issues of importance to Colorado's rural 
communities--its ranchers, farmers, agribusinesses and consumers.
  I also look forward to putting into action my own experience as a 
farmer and rancher and learning from the experience and leadership of 
the Governor from Nebraska, a neighboring State that is struggling with 
many of the same challenges that Colorado faces.
  I anticipate that Governor Johanns will be confirmed today, and that 
is as it should be because he has a lot of work waiting for him.
  I fear that many in the country do not recognize the challenges 
facing farmers, ranchers and rural towns in Colorado and across America 
today. Farming, ranching and agri-related businesses play a vital role 
to rural communities, and it is the job of the Senate Agriculture 
Committee and the United States Department of Agriculture to help those 
communities preserve this way of life and ensure that it will sustain 
many more generations of families. Governor Johanns has assured me that 
he understands this and that as Secretary of Agriculture he will rise 
to meet this challenge.
  One of the first important challenges that Governor Johanns will have 
to address is the issue of mad cow disease and the Canadian border. The 
Governor must direct the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 
the Food Safety Inspection Service, as well as work with the Food and 
Drug Administration to thoroughly examine and fully understand the 
implications that reopening the border to Canadian live cattle will 
have on farmers, ranchers, consumers and agricultural organizations and 
industries across the U.S.
  In addition, the Governor will have the challenge of reviewing the 
testimony and comments of farmers and ranchers, consumers and other 
agricultural industries and organizations whose livelihoods and 
families will be directly impacted by USDA's decision. I look forward 
to the Governor and USDA's review of each of these items and, as a 
member of the Agriculture Committee, will enjoy our further discussions 
on their findings and final decision.
  Furthermore, this ongoing mad cow issue underscores another challenge 
for Governor Johanns as well as a matter of vital importance: country-
of-origin labeling, COOL. American consumers have the right to know 
where their food is coming from, and I think that common sense dictates 
that if we can label where our shirts and socks are made, we can surely 
label where our meat and food comes from. I hope that Governor Johanns 
will work with us to ensure that COOL will go ahead once and for all, 
as passed by law.
  During Governor Johanns' nomination hearing in the Senate Agriculture 
Committee, he spoke about the need to encourage and explore biotech 
opportunities, open new markets, and provide expanded opportunities for 
productivity in agriculture. Important value-added initiatives such as 
these will be an essential factor to ensure a viable future for rural 
areas.
  Toward that end, early next month the President will release his 
budget for the upcoming fiscal year. That will provide a good indicator 
of his priorities for rural residents across the country. In last 
year's budget, the administration cut funding for rural development and 
eliminated or severely

[[Page 277]]

limited funding for programs to get rural communities broadband access, 
promote rural investment and help rural firefighters. Knowing of the 
Governor's commitment to expand opportunities for rural communities, I 
look forward to his help in protecting important programs such as 
these.
  Earlier this week, I also received written answers to questions I had 
submitted to Governor Johanns. While I certainly appreciate Governor 
Johanns' timely reply, I also look forward to hearing more detailed 
answers on the questions that he did not respond to, including an 
important issue to Colorado that has to do with a proposed development 
at the base of a ski area at Wolf Creek Pass.
  The Governor also spoke of the importance of the spirit of 
cooperation. I agree that we must cooperate to provide our rural 
residents with increased rural development and sustainable agricultural 
opportunities as well as reasonable commodity supports and eligibility 
guidelines to ensure that federal supports go to the family farmers who 
are the intended beneficiaries. Part and parcel of protecting our 
family farmer and rancher is ending the monopolization of the 
meatpacking industry and helping small, family agri-businesses to 
compete.
  Our family farmers, ranchers, and rural business people deserve fair 
farm, rural development and conservation programs as well as a safe 
food supply and other policies that help create more successful 
communities.
  I send my thanks to Governor Johanns for his service to Nebraska and 
his willingness to serve the Federal Government, and I look forward to 
working with him on these important issues.
  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)
 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I support the confirmation of Mike 
Johanns to be Secretary of Agriculture and look forward to working with 
him in my capacity as the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture 
Appropriations Subcommittee. We will have occasion to work together on 
many different topics in the months to come.
  One topic of particular interest to me is the Milk Income Loss 
Contract, MILC, program. This counter-cyclical support program was 
included in the 2002 farm bill and provides critical safety net for 
America's dairymen.
  In 2002 and the first half of 2003, dairy prices reached 25-year 
lows. During that time, the MILC program provided dairy producers with 
much, needed assistance. It helped to preserve the productive capacity 
of Wisconsin's dairy farms and stemmed the tide of losses that dairy 
farmers had experienced in previous periods of price downturn.
  Unfortunately, the MILC program is scheduled to expire in September 
2005, 2 years earlier than the rest of the farm bill commodity 
programs. I believe that is unacceptable and will be joining soon with 
a bipartisan, multiregional coalition of Senate colleagues to introduce 
legislation that would extend the MILC program.
  I ask unanimous consent that a letter that several of my colleagues 
and I recently sent to the President on this topic be printed in the 
Record. I look forward to working with Secretary Johanns on this issue 
in the months to come.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                 Washington, DC, January 10, 2005.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: We are writing to commend your strong 
     statements during the Presidential Campaign in support of the 
     Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program. Your pledge to work 
     toward reauthorization so that ``dairy farmers all across 
     this country can count on the support they need,'' is 
     critical.
       Under current law the MILC program is set to expire at end 
     of September of 2005, two years prior to other farm bill 
     programs. We are seeking a two-year extension of MILC to 
     bring it in line with other agriculture support programs. To 
     allow MILC's expiration would eliminate a critical safety net 
     for dairy farmers at a time when milk prices are on the 
     decline.
       We greatly appreciate your expression of support for 
     extension of the MILC program and look forward to seeing that 
     commitment reflected in your Fiscal Year 2006 budget. We hope 
     to work closely with your Administration in active support of 
     the MILC extension legislation in the coming months.
       With best wishes,
           Sincerely,
     Arlen Specter,
     Mark Dayton,
     Herb Kohl,
     Patrick J. Leahy,
       U.S. Senators.

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I urge my Senate colleagues to support 
the President's nomination of Governor Michael Johanns of Nebraska to 
serve as the Secretary of Agriculture.
  Governor Johanns is extraordinarily well-prepared and qualified for 
this new challenge. He grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. He has served 
two terms as Mayor of Lincoln, NE, and is in his second term as 
Governor of that State. He has shown outstanding leadership during his 
tenure as Governor which will serve him well in managing the diverse 
and important activities of the Department of Agriculture.
  As leader of a major agriculture state, the Governor is obviously 
familiar with the issues that are important to farmers and ranchers. He 
has been a leader in the Western Governors' Association on drought 
issues and has led five trade missions to expand overseas markets for 
American agricultural products.
  He has also been a leader on other issues that are critical to the 
very diverse mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He has been 
a strong voice for rural economic development. He is a past Chairman of 
the Governors' Ethanol Coalition and knows the potential of value-added 
agriculture. He serves as Chairman of the Governors' Biotechnology 
Partnership and has fostered electronic-government and technology 
applications in his state.
  Mr. President, on January 6th Governor Johanns appeared for his 
nomination hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry, which I have the privilege to chair. For nearly 3 hours he 
answered questions on a wide range of subjects and made a clear and 
positive impression on the entire Committee. His compassion and 
understanding of the issues was so evident that Committee members voted 
to approve his nomination that same day by a unanimous 20 to 0 vote.
  Mr. President, I congratulate the President on his choice to lead the 
Department of Agriculture for the next 4 years. I appreciate Governor 
Johanns' commitment to continue an outstanding record of public service 
and I recommend to my colleagues that they all support his nomination.
  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I strongly support the confirmation of 
Margaret Spellings as the eighth Secretary of Education. Ms. Spellings 
is a longtime public servant who for the past 4 years has served as 
President Bush's chief domestic policy adviser. In her White House 
efforts, she has helped implement policies on education, health, labor 
and housing. Her familiarity with America's students and teachers will 
prove invaluable in her new role managing our public educational 
system.
  Ms. Spellings also assisted President Bush when he was Governor of 
our home State of Texas, where they worked together on a number of 
important education programs including the Texas Reading Initiative to 
improve literacy, the Student Success Initiative to eliminate social 
promotion, and the State's accountability standard which is the 
forerunner to the No Child Left Behind Act. Because of her educational 
accomplishments, each year the United States develops more qualified 
teachers, better facilities and superior resources.
  A veteran of the Texas Association of School Boards, Ms. Spellings 
knows firsthand the advantages afforded by education and has pledged to 
ensure every child acquires the skills necessary to realize the 
American Dream. I am proud to support her in that effort, and to 
support her confirmation so she may continue her important work.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of the 
confirmation of Mike Johanns to be Secretary of Agriculture. As the 
former

[[Page 278]]

Governor of Nebraska, Mike Johanns knows how important agriculture is 
to this country. Through his dedicated public service he has shown a 
great understanding of the complex nature of the industry and the 
problems facing it.
  Growing up on an Iowa dairy farm, Mike Johanns learned from an early 
age that agriculture is the backbone of this great nation. For over two 
centuries, hardworking men and women like Mr. Johanns have dedicated 
their lives to protecting the vitality of the food and fiber industry. 
The nomination of Mike Johanns for the position of Secretary of 
Agriculture is a tribute to his commitment, and I have no doubt that 
this commitment will bring distinction to the position of Secretary of 
Agriculture.
  Throughout his professional career, Mike Johanns has been committed 
to the wellbeing of America's farmers and ranchers. As Governor, Mr. 
Johanns emphasized the importance of value-added agriculture, renewable 
fuels such as ethanol, and job creation in rural areas. Additionally, 
Mr. Johanns has demonstrated a keen knowledge of international trade 
policy, a subject that will continue to increase in importance as the 
world moves towards a more globalize economy. I look forward to working 
with Mr. Johanns to ensure that future trade agreements with the food 
and fiber industry are treated equitably.
  Mr. Johanns has also been an important leader on drought policy, a 
subject that is very important to many communities in the west. I 
believe that with his experience in this area, the country can move 
forward in establishing a concrete and coherent drought policy that 
provides tangible benefits for those affected by this serious problem.
  I know that Mr. Johanns will serve the agriculture community the 
utmost integrity and fairness and I look forward to working with him in 
the future.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I rise to 
support the nomination of Governor Mike Johanns to lead the Department 
of Agriculture. I applaud the President for his outstanding choice. The 
Nebraska Governor enjoys strong support from both sides of the aisle, 
including from his two home State Senators, Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson. 
The Governor's nomination was approved unanimously in committee and I 
expect swift action on his confirmation today.
  Governor Johann's story starts in Mitchell County, IA, on his 
family's dairy farm. Long hours working on the farm taught him the 
demands of the business, the hard work, discipline and resiliency it 
takes to succeed in agriculture. It also taught him a deep respect for 
the land and a sturdy work ethic which he says defines him to this day.
  As Governor of Nebraska, Mr. Johanns has been a true friend of 
America's farmers and ranchers. He has traveled the world to open new 
markets. Nebraska is the largest beef processing state in the country 
and the fourth largest exporter of agricultural products. Under 
Governor Johanns' leadership, Nebraska's exports to China have more 
than doubled, from $51 million dollars in 1999 to $110 million in 2003.
  He has also been a tireless advocate for his State's agricultural 
workers. As Governor, he developed the Meatpack-
ers Bill of Rights to protect the mostly Hispanic work force from poor 
working conditions. It was a controversial bill, but the Governor was 
determined to stand up for the right of his workers to safe working 
conditions. As he put it, ``people have a right to a safe work 
environment whether they earn five or fifty dollars per hour.''
  As Secretary of Agriculture, he will continue to grow and strengthen 
our farm economy. There will be challenges, including protecting the 
food supply, and developing alternative energy sources like ethanol. 
But Governor Johanns' lifetime of experience and leadership makes him 
superbly and uniquely qualified to meet these challenges.
  Governor Johanns says his father cried when he learned that his son 
was going to become a lawyer instead of a farmer. I hope today is cause 
for celebration.
  I look forward to the swift confirmation of Governor Johanns, and I 
look forward to working with him to keep America moving forward.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I know of no other speakers on either 
side.
  I ask that all time be yielded on the nomination of Governor Johanns 
for Secretary of Agriculture.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. All time is yielded.
  The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination 
of Mike Johanns, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Agriculture?
  The nomination was confirmed.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The President will be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action.
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.
  Mr. ROBERTS. I move to lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

                          ____________________