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97–781 PDF 2005

S. HRG. –

NOMINATION OF HON. MICHAEL JOHANNS, TO

BE SECRETARY OF THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

HEARING

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 

NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

UNITED STATES SENATE

ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

JANUARY 6, 2005

Printed for the use of the 

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.agriculture.senate.gov 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

SAXBY CHAMBLISS, Georgia, Chairman 

RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana 

THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi 

MITCH MCCONNELL, Kentucky 

PAT ROBERTS, Kansas 

JAMES M. TALENT, Missouri 

CRAIG THOMAS, Wyoming 

RICK SANTORUM, Pennsylvania 

NORM COLEMAN, Minnesota 

MICHEAL D. CRAPO, Idaho 

CHARLES E. GRASSLEY, Iowa 

TOM HARKIN, Iowa 

PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont 

KENT CONRAD, North Dakota 

MAX BAUCUS, Montana 

BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Arkansas 

DEBBIE A. STABENOW, Michigan 

E. BENJAMIN NELSON, Nebraska 

MARK DAYTON, Minnesota 

KEN SALAZAR, Colorado

MARTHA SCOTT POINDEXTER, Majority Staff Director 

DAVID L. JOHNSON, Majority Chief Counsel 

LANCE KOTSCHWAR, Majority General Counsel 

ROBERT E. STURM, Chief Clerk 

MARK HALVERSON, Minority Staff Director 

(II) 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

HEARING(S):

Nomination of Hon. Michael Johanns, to be Secretary of the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture ........................................................................................................ 01

Thursday, Janurary 6, 2005

STATEMENTS PRESENTED BY SENATORS 

Chambliss, Hon. Saxby, a U.S. Senator from Georgia, Chairman, Committee 

on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry ............................................................. 02

Harkin, Hon. Tom, a U.S. Senator from Iowa, Ranking Member, Committee 

on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry ............................................................. 07

Baucus, Hon. Max, a U.S. Senator from Montana ................................................ 22

Cochran, Hon. Thad, a U.S. Senator from Mississippi ......................................... 01

Coleman, Hon. Norm, a U.S. Senator from Minnesota ........................................ 36

Conrad, Hon. Kent, a U.S. Senator from North Dakota ...................................... 27

Leahy, Hon. Patrick, a U.S. Senator from Vermont ............................................. 44

Lincoln, Hon. Blanche, a U.S. Senator from Arkansas ........................................ 30

Roberts, Hon. Pat, a U.S. Senator from Kansas ................................................... 11

Salazar, Hon. Ken, a U.S. Senator from Colorado ................................................ 37

Stabenow, Hon. Debbie, a U.S. Senator from Michigan ....................................... 41

Talent, Hon. James, a U.S. Senator from Missouri .............................................. 28

Thomas, Hon. Craig, a U.S. Senator from Wyoming ............................................ 32

WITNESSES 

Hagel, Hon. Chuck, a U.S. Senator from Nebraska ............................................. 03

Johanns, Hon. Michael, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Agriculture ................. 12

Nelson, Hon. E. Benjamin, a U.S. Senator from Nebraska .................................. 04

APPENDIX 

PREPARED STATEMENTS: 

Chambliss, Hon. Saxby .................................................................................... 58

Harkin, Hon. Tom ............................................................................................ 59

Baucus, Hon. Max ............................................................................................ 66

Coleman, Hon. Norm ........................................................................................ 74

Conrad, Hon. Kent ........................................................................................... 67

Crapo, Hon. Mike ............................................................................................. 83

Hagel, Hon. Chuck ........................................................................................... 61

Johanns, Hon. Michael ..................................................................................... 62

Leahy, Hon. Patrick ......................................................................................... 81

Lincoln, Hon. Blanche ...................................................................................... 71

Salazar, Hon. Ken ............................................................................................ 76

Stabenow, Hon. Debbie .................................................................................... 78

Talent, Hon. James .......................................................................................... 69

Thomas, Hon. Craig ......................................................................................... 73

DOCUMENT(S) SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD: 

Johanns, Hon. Michael (biography) ................................................................ 89

Letters of support for Hon. Michael Johanns ................................................ 112–140

Page

IV

DOCUMENT(S) SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD—Continued

Santorum, Hon. Rick ........................................................................................ 88

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD: 

Chambliss, Hon. Saxby .................................................................................... 142

Harkin, Hon. Tom ............................................................................................ 152

Baucus, Hon. Max ............................................................................................ 176

Cochran, Hon. Thad ......................................................................................... 167

Coleman, Hon. Norm ........................................................................................ 202

Conrad, Hon. Kent ........................................................................................... 180

Crapo, Hon. Mike ............................................................................................. 224

Leahy, Hon. Patrick ......................................................................................... 216

Lincoln, Hon. Blanche ...................................................................................... 196

Nelson, Hon. Ben .............................................................................................. 168

Roberts, Hon. Pat ............................................................................................. 171

Santorum, Hon. Rick ........................................................................................ 229

Salazar, Hon. Ken ............................................................................................ 208

Stabenow, Hon. Debbie .................................................................................... 214

Talent, Hon. James .......................................................................................... 189

Thomas, Hon. Craig ......................................................................................... 200

(1)

NOMINATION OF HON. MICHAEL JOHANNS, 

TO BE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2005, 

U.S. SENATE, 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY, 

Washington, DC. 

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:07 a.m., in room 

SD–106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Saxby Chambliss, 

[Chairman of the Committee], presiding. 

Present or submitting a statement: Senators Chambliss, Cochran, Roberts, Talent, Thomas, Coleman, Crapo, Harkin, Leahy, 

Conrad, Baucus, Lincoln, Stabenow, Nelson, Dayton and Salazar. 

Also present or submitting a statement: Senator Hagel. 

STATEMENT OF HON. THAD COCHRAN, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

MISSISSIPPI 

Senator COCHRAN. The meeting of the Agriculture Committee 

will please come to order. We are pleased this morning to be able 

to welcome the President’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Johanns of the State of Nebraska. We are also pleased that 

this is the first meeting of this new Congress of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and we will soon have new leadership approved 

formally by the Senate. My good friend from Georgia, Senator 

Saxby Chambliss, will assume the chairmanship of this committee, 

if that is approved by the full Senate. We have legal steps in the 

process before we can actually claim that that is a done deed, but 

it certainly is inevitable, in my opinion, and we are fortunate to be 

able to look forward to the leadership of the Senator from Georgia 

as Chairman of this Committee. 

It has been a great pleasure serving the last 2 years as chairman 

of this distinguished committee. The members are talented, dedicated, and we have a record we can be proud of, as we look back 

over the last 2 years, the Healthy Forests Initiative stands out, the 

reauthorization of the nutrition programs. We can look back at our 

oversight responsibilities, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, other agencies of the Government that this committee has 

jurisdiction over with a great deal of pride. 

I, also, am impressed with the leadership that not only the White 

House but the Department of Agriculture has provided on some 

very key issues, food safety among them, and many others. The 

well-being of America’s farmers is also a very important area for 

comment. We have seen some of the best returns on investments 

2

in agriculture in the history of the country over the last 2 years. 

Our food exports have surged to new heights in many areas, and 

these are successes that I hope we can build upon as we begin this 

new 4–year term under the leadership of President Bush and with 

a new Secretary of Agriculture, whom I am confident will be confirmed by the Senate, without prejudging the issue. That is the 

subject of this hearing today. 

I have been privileged to meet our Secretary designate, to talk 

with him and to know of his record, and it is a pleasure to welcome 

him this morning. 

I am not going to continue to serve as Chairman, even of this 

hearing. I am going to turn over, as is our custom here in this committee, that honor and privilege to the new Chairman, the Chairman-designate, Saxby Chambliss. 

Without further ado, Mr. Chairman, I present you with the gavel 

and wish you well. 

[Applause.] 

STATEMENT OF HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS, A U.S. SENATOR 

FROM GEORGIA, CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 

NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY 

The CHAIRMAN. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have participated in a lot of athletic events in my life and some big games or 

what were big games for me back then, and I have that same feeling in my stomach this morning as I approach this chair. I also am 

very humbled by the fact that my colleagues have given me this 

opportunity, but I am more humbled by the fact that I have the 

opportunity to replace a gentleman who is revered in agricultural 

circles far and wide. 

I had the privilege of practicing law in my hometown, which is 

a very agricultural area of my State, for 26 years, and during that 

time I practiced an awful lot of agricultural law. During that period 

of time I came to know the name ‘‘Thad Cochran.’’ He was such a 

strong advocate for rural America not just farmers, but for everybody who lives in rural America. Once I got elected to the House, 

he is one of the first people that I wanted to get to know and I got 

to know him very well. 

He has been to my State every year that I have been out campaigning, and he is still revered in my part of the State, and it has 

just been a pleasure to have the opportunity to be associated with 

him both within the agriculture circles, as well as outside the agricultural circles. He has provided strong leadership for this committee, and he is going to continue to be a strong voice for agriculture in his position as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations 

Committee. 

Thad, to you, I say thank you on behalf of all farmers all across 

America for the great service you provided to agriculture. 

Senator COCHRAN. Thank you. 

[Applause.] 

The CHAIRMAN. I would say, also, that I have had the pleasure 

of knowing Tom Harkin for a number of years. Tom and I got to 

know each other during our farm bill debates and some visits that 

I have made to Iowa. Tom Harkin, also, has been a strong advocate 

for rural America and for farmers, not just in Iowa, but all across 

3

America. I really look forward to working more closely with Tom 

than ever before. Tom, we have had a good relationship, and we 

are going to have an even stronger relationship for the benefit of 

all farmers. 

We are going to start off this morning, as the first order of business of this committee, to consider the confirmation of the President’s nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. We have here for the 

hearing this morning Governor Mike Johanns, of the great State of 

Nebraska. He is accompanied by two of our good friends here—one 

which is a member of our committee, and both are two personal 

friends of mine, Senator Chuck Hagel and Senator Ben Nelson. 

I will turn to Senator Hagel, first, for comments that he would 

like to make. 

[The prepared statement of Chairman Chambliss can be found in 

the appendix on page 58.] 

STATEMENT OF HON. CHUCK HAGEL, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

NEBRASKA 

Senator HAGEL. Mr. Chairman, thank you. First, congratulations 

on your new responsibilities and your new assignment. You have 

some very weak members on your side, I note, but assuming that 

you are able to overcome that deficit, I know that you will do quite 

well, and I look forward to exchanging agriculture tips during our 

Intelligence Committee meeting. Congratulations, and we are very 

pleased that you have agreed to accept this big responsibility. 

Senator BAUCUS. I appreciate your inference that only one side 

is weak. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator HAGEL. Senator Baucus, with all due respect, I am not 

finished. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator BAUCUS. I will have subsequent remarks as well. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator HAGEL. I will be gone. 

To Chairman Cochran, thank you for your leadership over these 

years. You have, as Chairman Chambliss has noted, been a very 

important part of American agriculture, and your leadership, as 

the Chairman noted, has not only been highly regarded and respected, but appreciated. All of us from farm States, who are much 

dependent on agriculture, very much appreciate what you have 

done, as well as the former Chairman of the House Agriculture 

Committee, who sits to your left, now-Senator Roberts, for his 

years of service. 

Mr. Chairman, I have a prepared statement, which I would ask 

that it be inserted into the record. 

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection. 

Senator HAGEL. Thank you. 

I am here this morning with my friend and colleague, Senator 

Nelson, who you have already introduced, to perform not only an 

important task, but a very personal task for me, and that is to help 

acquaint this committee with our Governor and a very dear friend 

of mine, Mike Johanns. The President has chosen wisely, in my 

opinion, in selecting Governor Johanns for this job. Members of 

this committee recognize more, and better, and deeper than most 

4

what is ahead for American agriculture these next 4 years. The 

Farm bill is going to have to be rewritten, trade issues, exports, 

conservation programs, we probably are looking at more drought 

issues, natural disaster issues, so much that is included in the 

portfolio of the Secretary of Agriculture. 

As the President has chosen Mike Johanns, Mike Johanns has 

agreed to step into this job at an important time that will require, 

I believe, more than just qualifications. It will require a personal 

commitment to what these tasks and challenges are. I do not know 

of an individual who today, in America, and that is a rather inclusive, and broad and bold statement, is better qualified to do this 

job than Mike Johanns not just because of his background, his education, what he has done in his life, but his personal commitment. 

This is a man who was born on a farm. Agriculture has been part 

of the very fiber of his existence throughout his life. 

As Governor of Nebraska, he led and headed many of the Governors’ Association, Midwest Governors’ Association, Republican 

Governors’ Association, export efforts, trade efforts, always moving 

forward, always branching American, Nebraska agriculture out 

into new value-added dynamics. It is the opinion of this Senator 

that that is the future of American agriculture not more subsidies. 

In fact, if we are to continue to build on the great strength and productivity of American agriculture, then it is going to require, I believe, some rather creative leadership and thinking and bold leadership as well. No one is better equipped than Mike Johanns to be 

able to accomplish that. 

I would conclude, Mr. Chairman, with this point. Most, I suspect, 

know that Mike Johanns, if approved by this committee and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, would be the fourth Nebraskan to hold 

this assignment as Secretary of Agriculture. We have been, over 

the years, very proud of Clayton Yeutter, the most recent Nebraskan to hold this job, Clifford Hardin, and a man that is now part 

of our history and our legacy and also presides in the Hall of Statues, J. Sterling Morton, who was the first Secretary of Agriculture 

from Nebraska. I do not know if we will build a statue to Johanns, 

depending on how well he does, but he has a great legacy to follow 

in the three Nebraskans, who have previously held this job. 

With that, Mr. Chairman, I would conclude by saying that we 

are very proud of this man. Certainly, Tom Harkin can claim a 

part of him. One might say that Johanns was shaped and molded 

maybe even more in Iowa than he was Nebraska, but, nonetheless, 

this is a man of the heartland. This is a man who is ready to do 

this job, and we are proud of him. We will enthusiastically support 

him and work closely with him. 

Mr. Chairman, thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Hagel can be found in the 

appendix on page 61.] 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Nelson. 

STATEMENT OF HON. E. BENJAMIN NELSON, A U.S. SENATOR 

FROM NEBRASKA 

Senator NELSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

First, I want to congratulate you on your new chairmanship and 

to say to Senator Harkin, as the ranking member of the Personnel 

5

Subcommittee of Armed Services, I worked with Senator 

Chambliss, who was the Chairman. I will miss him in that role, 

but will look forward to working here with him, but you will find 

him to be a very good partner in the efforts of this committee. Congratulations, Mr. Chairman. 

I want to thank my colleague and good friend, Senator Hagel, for 

joining me here and certainly would second all of his comments 

about Governor Mike Johanns. 

I would also like to thank the committee and Chairman Cochran 

for recognizing the importance of moving this committee nomination process forward quickly, recognizing the importance of having 

a Secretary of Agriculture as soon as possible, and I thank you for 

this hearing. 

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 encompasses agribusiness firms responsible for processing, delivering and selling food and other products to consumers, domestic and abroad. It involves institutions of 

higher learning, people who provide credit, sell farm implements, 

manufacture new products and provide nutrition information. It 

also includes scientists who contribute to greater yields with less 

environmental impact. These people, and so many others, support 

an economic system that is without doubt the envy of the world. 

It is critical to understand the diversity of American agriculture 

and how its influence will be important to our daily lives, whether 

we work or whether we do not work in agriculture, whether we live 

or do not live on a farm, and that 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. agriculture products, for providing food aid to those who have the need, 

for protecting the soil, water and wildlife and for administering 

food nutrition programs. 

Today, I emphasize Governor Johanns’ qualifications to lead the 

Department at a very important time for U.S. agriculture. Nebraska is a world-class leader in producing a high-quality, abundant and affordable food supply. I would not be doing my job if I 

did not say that today. 

Nebraska leads the State in total red meat production, it is the 

Nation’s leading livestock-slaughtering State and ranks No. 1 in 

great northern and light red kidney bean production. Our diversity 

is further illustrated by top five rankings in alfalfa, hay production, 

cash receipts from corn, grain, sorghum and livestock, through its 

land, and farms, and ranches, and soybean, winter wheat and pork 

production. 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 water quality and quantity in times of severe drought 

conditions has added to the complexity of agriculture production. 

Mike Johanns has governed in these times of great uncertainty and 

6

is well aware of the continuing needs to deal with these most difficult times. 

Governor Johanns presents to the committee a list of qualifications that will be of considerable benefit not only to Nebraska and 

the Midwest, but throughout the Nation, which is important to the 

other States or members of this committee and the other Members 

of Congress, who are not members of this committee, but are members of the American society. He is an experienced leader and a 

strong advocate, with solid common-sense solutions to the difficult 

questions that are presented to him. We have 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 continuing to work 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. 

Finally, with farm bill reauthorizing effort already mentioned, I 

look to the Governor as the new Secretary and his skills in generating bipartisan coalitions to enact comprehensive legislation which 

furthers 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 Secretary of Agriculture. I have said repeatedly, and 

believe thoroughly, the person who will administer the Farm bill 

and bill for the future of agriculture in America should 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 very well. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a pleasure to be here. Thank you 

for this time. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Senator Hagel and Senator Nelson. 

Governor Johanns, I will tell you, you could not have two more 

respected members to bring with you to introduce you this morning. We thank both of you all for being here. We know your schedules are busy. If you have to leave at this time, we understand. 

I want to take a minute, before we get started, to recognize some 

new members to the committee. A couple of them are not new to 

the Senate. Senator Craig Thomas, from Wyoming, is joining the 

Senate Agriculture Committee. Craig, we are certainly glad to have 

you with us. Senator Rick Santorum, of Pennsylvania, also, will be 

joining the committee this year on our side. 

On the Democratic side, Senator Ken Salazar, from the State of 

Colorado, who is a new member to the Senate, a member that we 

truly look forward to working with on this committee. Ken and I 

have already had an informal conversation about agriculture. Ken, 

we are very pleased that you are joining us and look forward to 

working with you. 

7

I want to make sure that all of the new members know, too, that 

a great tradition around the Senate, as well as during my days in 

the House, I was sure that every member of the Agriculture Committee had plenty of good Georgia peanuts. I will not argue with 

my friends from Texas or Oklahoma or North Carolina or Virginia 

or other peanut-growing areas about which state has the best. All 

I will say is that ours are always gone first. 

[Laughter.] 

The CHAIRMAN. They give you plenty of energy, too. There will 

be plenty of those available during the course of all of our hearings. 

Governor Johanns, we want to welcome you here and thank you 

for your willingness to continue to provide public service to the people of America. I congratulate you on being the President’s choice 

to lead the Department of Agriculture for the next 4 years, and I 

appreciate your continuing commitment to public service. In my 

opinion, you are extraordinarily well-prepared for this new challenge. You grew up on a dairy farm in Iowa. You have served two 

terms as mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska. You are now in your second 

term as Governor of that State. You have certainly shown outstanding leadership during your tenure as Governor of Nebraska 

and it will serve you 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. He has also been a 

leader on many of the 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. 

Governor, I know my colleagues are looking forward to hearing 

your thoughts on their specific issues, but before we begin with 

your statement and questions, I would like to ask my good friend, 

the distinguished ranking Democratic member of the committee, if 

he has any opening remarks. 

Senator Harkin. 

STATEMENT OF HON. TOM HARKIN, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

IOWA 

Senator HARKIN. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much, and I 

would have some opening remarks, but before I do that, I just 

wanted to publicly thank Senator Thad Cochran for his great leadership of this committee over the last couple of years and to thank 

you, Thad, for always being so open in working with the minority 

side over here. I can honestly say that at no time, during your tenure as chairman and my tenure as ranking member, at no time 

was anything ever done that we did not discuss that you did not 

always tell me that we were going to do. We always had an open 

policy, and I just want you to know how much we appreciate that 

8

on this side. I also want to thank you for your great leadership in 

getting the nutrition reauthorization bill through. 

To those who say that all we do is bicker and fight around here 

in a partisan manner, I would point to this committee, in which 

that is rarely the case, if ever. The example of that is the nutrition 

reauthorization bill, which was gotten through under the chairmanship of Senator Cochran, which was the legislation that ensures that the people of America have a food supply in which they 

can rest assured is good, that our kids have adequate nutrition in 

early childhood. Our school lunch, our school breakfast programs, 

our after-school feeding programs, our elderly feeding programs all 

come under that nutrition bill. To the extent that we have the lowest rate of hunger anywhere in the world, there are pockets here 

and there, but still we do a great job in this country of making sure 

that our kids are well fed in this country. That nutrition bill really 

was a great bill that we got through, and I want to thank Thad 

Cochran for your great leadership on getting that through in a very 

bipartisan manner, getting it through the House and getting it to 

President Bush for his signature. 

As you leave the chairmanship of this committee, I know you are 

taking over the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee—I 

also serve on that committee, too, so I look forward to working with 

you on that—and since you will be holding all the purse strings, 

if there are any other accolades I can give you or any other nice 

things I can say about you, please have your staff get them to me, 

and I will say them right away. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator HARKIN. I really do thank you, Thad. It has been great 

working with you. 

I also want to publicly thank Secretary Veneman for her tenure 

as Secretary of Agriculture. Again, I would say the same thing 

about her I just said about Senator Cochran. During her 4 years, 

we had an open policy. We met periodically. Not once did she not 

return my phone calls, always and, likewise, I would return hers. 

We always had a very open and frank discussion of the problems 

that confronted agriculture or what was coming before our committee. I trust, with Governor Johanns, that we will continue to 

have that same kind of open policy with you as Secretary. I want 

to publicly thank Secretary Veneman for her great leadership in 

the Department of Agriculture, for helping us get through the 2002 

Farm bill and getting that signed by President Bush, a remarkable 

piece of legislation, which you were very instrumental in helping 

get through, too, also, Chairman Chambliss. 

To Chairman Chambliss, again, congratulations on taking over 

this great committee. I did a little historical look here, and it seems 

to me that you are the second Georgian to chair this committee, of 

course, the first being Herman Talmadge, from 1971 to 1980. 

There was another great Georgian, however, speaking of nutrition, who was not a member of this committee, but through his 

leadership was instrumental in establishing the whole school lunch 

program in our schools, and that was Richard Russell, from Georgia, who is the father of the national school lunch program. 

However, there are little tidbits of history. There was one Senator from Mississippi, Thad, by the name of James George, who 

9

served as chairman of this committee, but he was born in Georgia. 

See, it is a little like Governor Johanns. He was born in Iowa, see, 

but he is from Nebraska, but we claim him, and I am sure that we 

might then say that you are the third Georgian now who chairs 

this committee. 

Chairman Chambliss, you and I have worked together in the 

past, as you indicated, especially on the 2002 Farm bill. We both 

have served on the Agriculture Committee. This makes my thirtieth year, unbroken year, on Agriculture—20 in the Senate and 10 

before that in the House. I look forward to working with you. 

What can I say about the peanuts? I can say that, well, for a long 

time we had North Carolina peanuts, when Jesse Helms was chairman. I am sure the Georgia peanuts will hold up well to the North 

Carolina peanuts. Are there any North Carolinians on this committee now? Georgia peanuts will be a lot better than the North 

Carolina peanuts. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator HARKIN. We welcome the new members of the committee 

on both sides. I thank you all for all of the work that members on 

both sides did on the 2002 Farm bill when I was privileged to chair 

this committee at that point in time. 

Again, to you Governor Johanns, I look forward to working with 

you and congratulate you on your nomination as Secretary of Agriculture. Good leadership at the Department of Agriculture means 

a great deal in my State of Iowa. It is critical to our economy. We 

treasure our way of life in Iowa in our small towns and communities. I happen to live in a town of 150 people, Cumming, Iowa. 

I may be one of the few people who actually lives in the house in 

which he was born. I was born in a house not a hospital, and I still 

live in that house in a town of 150 people. We value greatly our 

traditions and our way of life. We depend on making sure that agriculture is healthy. 

The day-to-day responsibilities that you will assume as Secretary 

of Agriculture touch the lives of everyone in my hometown of 

Cumming. They touch the lives of every farmer and every farm 

family in Iowa, Nebraska and all over this country, but they also 

touch the lives of people all around the world. This, I believe, is one 

of the most significant positions in our Government, and it is one 

of the most unheralded. I believe Secretary of Agriculture is one of 

the most vital positions in our Government. 

Of course, Governor Johanns got a good start in life, as has been 

noted, by being born and raised on a dairy farm in Iowa. I guess 

you might say that he has a good grip on things in agriculture. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator HARKIN. As the Governor of our neighboring State of Nebraska, he has added to his knowledge of food, and agriculture and 

rural issues. 

Again, I look forward to working with you, Governor, in your new 

capacity. 

One of your major responsibilities is carrying out the Farm bill. 

I believe we passed a good bipartisan bill in 2002. President Bush 

praised it, especially the conservation sections of it, signed it into 

law and, for the most part it has been working. We stayed within 

the budget in writing that legislation, but since then the budgets 

10

and appropriations bills have taken some of that funding away. In 

fiscal 2005 alone, over $1.2 billion was cut from programs, such as 

conservation, rural economic development, research and renewable 

energy. 

On top of that, the administration insisted that disaster assistance could only be obtained by drawing funds out of the Farm bill. 

This bleeding of funds from the Farm bill is damaging and shortsighted. I also think that key farm bill initiatives are suffering 

from delayed or misguided implementation. It seems as if the regulations for the Conservation Security Program were intentionally 

written to drive farmers and ranchers away, through stingy payments and overly burdensome regulations. 

The new initiative to bring investment capital to rural communities has been largely nullified by unworkable rules. Funds that 

were dedicated in the Farm bill to rural broadband access lie idle. 

Money that we put there lie idle because of excessively tightfisted 

lending policies. These implementation problems can, and should 

be, solved shortly. It is encouraging to me that you, Governor, understand the importance of developing markets for value-added 

products, from pork and beef to farm-based renewable energy and 

bio-based products. Adding values to commodities holds real promise for boosting farm income, and jobs and economic growth in 

rural America. 

As we spoke about, we wrote a provision in the Farm bill requiring that all Federal departments and agencies must give a preference to bio-based products wherever feasible. That means the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department 

of Homeland Security, all of them, must give a preference to biobased products. That could create a huge potential market. Unfortunately, the USDA’s rules to establish this requirement are now 

2 years overdue. We cannot delay this any further. 

We also face unprecedented challenges in protecting the safety 

and security of our Nation’s food supply, including from intentional 

acts that we did not even contemplate when we wrote the Farm 

bill. Besides the meat and poultry inspection, we have a crucial 

role in fighting plant and animal diseases, such as soybean rust, 

which is now threatening our country, foot and mouth disease, protecting humans from things like BSE or mad cow disease, avian influenza. 

To do this job, the USDA needs state-of-the-art facilities, which 

is why we must provide the necessary funds to complete the renovation of the National Animal Disease Laboratory in Ames. 

Last, we have a history of bipartisan cooperation, as I said, in 

this committee in support of domestic and international food and 

nutrition assistance. It is helpful that this committee understands 

the farm-food connection and help those who need help with food. 

Again, I mentioned earlier, where Senator Lugar, and Senator 

Cochran and those of us worked to strengthen the Federal Food Assistance and Child Nutrition Programs. Again, I hope, Governor, 

that you will continue the strong support for national eligibility 

standards, national eligibility standards and benefit levels that are 

national in these programs. 

In trade, we have, for years, taken for granted that our Nation’s 

ag trade would be a surplus. For 2005, USDA projects that, for the 

11

first time since 1959, our agriculture trade surplus will disappear. 

Clearly, we have a lot of work to do to reopen our beef markets in 

other countries, and we look forward to working with you on that. 

Again, I welcome you, Governor, to the committee. I congratulate 

you on this appointment. I look forward to the hearing today, but 

also to basically working with you in the coming months and years. 

Just in case I do not get back—I have to leave to go to another 

hearing for Ms. Spellings on Education—but just as an addendum 

to what I was saying, Governor, I mentioned to you the other day, 

we have one of the worst calamities that ever hit our planet in the 

Tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, Southern Asia. Our country, our 

President, is rushing forward with funds to help in any way we 

can. One of the things that we have in abundance in this country 

is we have food. We have great food. We have food that can help 

feed people all over that region that need it and are going to need 

it not just now, but they are going to need it in the weeks and the 

months ahead as they get back on their feet. 

I am hopeful in the supplemental appropriations bill that the 

President will send up that will be mostly military—I understand 

that—I hope and trust that there will be a large component in 

there for Public 480, Title II aid, which is the grants in food. We 

have the food. We know how to deliver it. They need it. It ought 

to be a big part of our supplemental appropriations bill when it 

comes up, and I hope, Governor, that you can take the lead, as Secretary, in promoting that within the Councils of Government. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator HARKIN. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for indulging me with this time. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Harkin can be found in the 

appendix on page 59.] 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Senator. 

I know Senator Roberts has a couple of comments that he wants 

to make, but before I turn the microphone over to him, when I was 

elected to the House 10 years ago, the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee was Pat Roberts. It was a great pleasure to 

have the opportunity to work with him. He is now my chairman 

on the Senate Intelligence Committee. We used to be able to talk 

about what we did in the Agriculture Committee, and now we just 

have to walk by each other and smile since we cannot talk about 

what goes on in the Intelligence Committee. After Pat left the 

House to come to this body, he was succeeded by another gentleman, whom I happen to note is in the audience today, and another great friend of agriculture and one of the major architects of 

the 2002 Farm bill, former Congressman Larry Combest. Larry, we 

are very pleased to have you with us today. 

At this time, I will recognize Senator Roberts. 

STATEMENT OF HON. PAT ROBERTS, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

KANSAS 

Senator ROBERTS. Mr. Chairman, I understand that it is not regular order for those of us in the ranks to make opening statements 

and that we are to stand at parade rest, which I am now doing. 

I just want to take this opportunity to thank Thad Cochran for 

his outstanding leadership. I do associate myself with the remarks 

12

of the distinguished new Chairman, and our ranking member and 

former chairman in regards to Thad’s leadership. Many are called, 

but few are chosen. Thad was not only the chairman of this committee and handled it in his usual true Southern gentleman style, 

but also was our banker, being the previous chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture Appropriations. It is a very rare combination. Whatever we have been able to do on behalf of agriculture not 

only Mississippi, Kansas, Iowa or Georgia or nationwide, it has 

been due, at least in some large part, due to the efforts of Thad 

Cochran. 

I really do not know how I am going to explain to Ted Stevens 

why I am no longer going to carry his bags, wash his windows, 

press his ties or shine his shoes. Your shoes will be ready tomorrow 

morning, sir——

[Laughter.][continuing.] 

It was 7:30 for Stevens. I do not know what time you want, but 

that is what we will do. 

To Senator Chambliss I want to say my deepest and best wishes. 

I could not be more proud of you being our new Chairman. The 

only thing I would point out is that Kansas is the fastest-growing 

cotton State in America and that the complaint on Georgia peanuts 

to the Ethics Committee, of which I am a member, by several other 

States, we have taken care of that. You do not have to worry about 

that. 

Mr. Chairman, if you count Saxby Chambliss, there are now six 

chairmen or former chairmen of the House or the Senate Ag Committees serving on this panel—Senator Chambliss, Senator Cochran, Senator Lugar, Senator Harkin, Senator Leahy and some fellow named Roberts. That is remarkable, and it shows exactly what 

Senator Harkin was pointing out—the bipartisan nature of this 

committee and that, in fact, we are all privileged to serve Agriculture. I have a glowing statement for Governor Johanns, but I 

will save that for the questioning. 

I thank you, sir, for recognizing me, and I thank my colleagues 

for their indulgence in regards to my remarks. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, sir. 

Any other member who wishes to enter a statement in the 

record, we will be happy to insert it. 

At this time, Governor Johanns, we will turn to you for any 

opening statement you wish to make. 

STATEMENT OF HON. MICHAEL OWEN JOHANNS, OF 

NEBRASKA, TO BE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you very much. 

Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Committee, I 

am both honored and humbled by the President’s nomination and 

the confidence that he expressed in my ability to serve as Secretary 

of Agriculture. The U.S. Constitution vests in the Senate a critical 

role in this process, so I am here today to answer your questions, 

in hopes that I might also earn your confidence and to assist you 

in fulfilling your constitutional role. 

I would like to mention that I am joined today and would like 

to acknowledge my partner, and I might add my biggest supporter, 

my wife Stephanie. 

13

I will share with you, in a simple and straightforward manner, 

who I am and why I am so eager to champion the cause of agriculture. I will be brief, and I will ask that my full statement be 

submitted. 

I did grow up in Mitchell County, Iowa, the son of dairy farmers—John and Adeline Johanns. I woke with the sun to do chores, 

and we would often finish after dark. At a very young age, I 

learned discipline, and I learned commitment to purpose. I developed a deep respect for the land and a work ethic that helps to define who I am as a person. I will always be a farmer’s son with an 

intense passion for agriculture. 

You will not have a difficult time finding evidence of that passion 

throughout my time in public service. I currently serve as Governor 

of a State in which agriculture is a very key economic driver. Nebraska is the largest beef processing State in the United States and 

the fourth largest exporter of agricultural products in the United 

States. I have had every reason to remain very closely connected 

to my roots and the lessons that I learned so long ago. 

For example, every farm kid quickly learns the importance of 

productivity. Having worked long hours on the farm, I imagined, 

at that time, that we were turning out as many bushels of corn per 

acre as was humanly possible. Today, productivity has increased so 

dramatically that producers harvest crops that we only could have 

dreamed of back then. 

Technology has revolutionized farming and biotechnology could 

open the door to a more productive future. As chairman of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership, I have actively encouraged the 

exploration of biotech opportunities. 

In Nebraska, we have invested a great deal in agriculture. We 

enacted a Value-Added Agriculture Initiative, provided production 

credits for ethanol, and I have led eight delegations of Nebraska 

agriculture leaders on trade missions all over the world. 

Growing up, I also learned a very simple lesson about Mother 

Nature. It does not matter how high the export demand is if there 

is not enough rain to get your crops out of the field. In the mid 

1960’s, it did not rain in Mitchell County, and my family lost an 

entire crop. This experience, combined with the knowledge I have 

gained from serving as Governor during a very severe period of 

drought, has driven my aggressive work to better prepare for and 

respond to drought. 

As co-lead Governor on drought for the Western Governors’ Association, I advocated for an integrated drought monitoring system. 

By establishing an early warning system, we could better forecast 

drought cycles, thereby allowing for better preparation. I have 

highlighted policies that I have supported in hopes that they provide some insight into my vision. 

I have said little about the principles upon which I base my decisions. You have a right to that information, also. As old-fashioned 

as it might sound, I do believe strongly that public service is a 

higher calling. It is appropriate for you to consider both my policies 

and my principles before deciding whether I am worthy to serve as 

a member of the President’s Cabinet. 

What I offer you is not profound. It is as basic as my upbringing. 

14

I believe strongly that citizens should have access to governmental leaders. I maintain an open-door policy as Governor, just as 

I did as mayor and county commissioner. You might find Nebraskans who have disagreed with my decisions, but they have always 

been given the opportunity to discuss an issue with me, whether 

we do or do not see eye-to-eye. 

I believe Government, be it local, State or Federal, must fiercely 

guard against the notion that all the good ideas are conceived inside Government offices. That is why I visited all 93 counties in 

Nebraska, many times, actually, to have direct, face-to-face contact 

with constituents I serve. Now, I appreciate that our Nation is 

much larger than our State, and yet the same reality holds true regarding the exceptional wisdom often imparted by the citizens that 

we serve. 

I believe personal integrity is critical. The answers I provide 

might not please everyone, but they will be honest, and they will 

be straightforward. I have worked with contentious issues, and I 

have stood up for what I believe in. 

I believe that when a spirit of cooperation prevails, hope can be 

found in seemingly the most hopeless situations. If confirmed, I am 

eager to work with this committee and the full Congress to establish a similar atmosphere in which we can tackle the challenges 

and seize the opportunities before us to achieve new agriculture 

milestones as a Nation. 

I believe that those in leadership positions must not only manage 

the issues of the day, but also look to the future and do so with 

courage. 

Our country has been very blessed with many courageous leaders, and I believe that the future holds great promise for a strong, 

vibrant rural America. I am in awe of the farmers and ranchers in 

Nebraska whose resilience has been nothing short of remarkable as 

they face their fifth year of drought. You would be hard-pressed to 

put a challenge before them that they were unwilling to accept. It 

is important for those whose responsibility it is to support our 

farmers and ranchers to demonstrate the same resiliency and determination. 

I will promise you this: If you decide that I am fit to serve our 

country in this capacity, I will do so with passion, with determination, and with a continued commitment to the very values I learned 

on that dairy farm near Osage, Iowa. 

As Governor of a State that has been benefited tremendously 

from the good work of the USDA, I would be honored to stand sideby-side with the dedicated employees of this Department to work 

as a team in advocating for rural America. I would welcome the 

challenges associated with managing a diverse and a very complex 

organization. I have had to make many difficult decisions as Governor, and I have tried to clearly articulate my reasons for those 

decisions. I understand the significance of being accountable to the 

President, to you, to the employees of the Department, and most 

importantly to the citizens of our great country. 

I have spoken with most of you by phone, and many of you in 

person, since my nomination was announced by President Bush. 

Your interest in USDA programs has given me an appreciation for 

the significant and important work performed by this Department. 

15

I am eager to follow up and to learn more about the topics you 

have raised in our meetings, such as managing our national forest 

lands and food assistance programs, protecting plant and animal 

health, ensuring the safety of our food, and making certain that the 

USDA serves all customers and treats all employees with equality, 

dignity and respect. 

When I accepted the nomination of our President, he said something that has stayed with me in the subsequent weeks. He described me as a faithful friend to farmers and ranchers. I can only 

hope that the farmers and ranchers of Nebraska share the President’s view. I can only hope that if confirmed by the Senate, the 

farmers, ranchers and consumers of America will feel that I have 

been a faithful friend and a strong advocate at the completion of 

my time as Secretary. I will never hesitate to speak passionately 

on their behalf. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, Governor. 

Before we hear your testimony, I will ask that you please stand 

and let me administer the oath to you. Would you raise your right 

hand. 

[Nominee sworn.] 

The CHAIRMAN. Before we move on to the questions, I will have 

to say I am very pleased that you would bring your biggest asset, 

your wife, which our wives are certainly the biggest asset to each 

of us individually here, and that is Stephanie, with you this morning. I heard, in the hallway outside, she and I are big NASCAR 

fans. When I mentioned Little E, and Ryan Newman, and Tony 

Stewart, she knew exactly who I was talking about, which is unusual for a lot of females. 

We have one mandatory question that I must ask you, Governor, 

and that is do you agree that you will appear before any duly constituted committee of Congress if asked to appear? 

Governor JOHANNS. I do. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. 

Governor, the U.S. net farm income is expected to reach an alltime high this year. Farmers know, however, that agriculture can 

be a cyclical business and always is cyclical. What would you do, 

as Secretary of Agriculture, to make agriculture a more profitable 

business for our farmers and ranchers over the next several years, 

as well as for the longer term? 

Governor JOHANNS. Again, you can look at my history as Governor, and it gives you a very positive road map of what I have 

been doing as Governor and what I hope to continue. In our state, 

we put a tremendous amount of emphasis on value-added agriculture. There are a number of opportunities there, but I will give 

you one example. We decided to make a significant investment as 

a State—in fact, it is something like $200 million over the next 10 

years—into ethanol, and now we are at half-a-billion bushels of 

ethanol or more. We have 11 plants operating thereabouts, and we 

expect another half a dozen will come on-line soon. 

This whole concept of value-added agriculture is an opportunity 

for not only our State, but the country, to expand the reach of agriculture around the world. The food programs that Senator Harkin 

spoke so eloquently about, they also have an impact, and there is 

16

no doubt about it. I was asked many times over the past few 

weeks, ‘‘well, in addition to farmers and ranchers, what is in the 

portfolio for the USDA?’’ I pointed out to people that over half of 

the budget—fifty-five percent—goes into the nutrition programs. It 

is a significant piece of what we do. We grow food in abundance 

in this country, and we do it very, very well. We’ll put emphasis 

in that area. 

For the Farm bill, I was lead governor for the Midwestern Governors’ Association. Governor Tom Vilsack and I worked together 

on our thoughts, from a Governor’s standpoint, on the Farm bill. 

I was lead Governor for the Western Governors’ Association, also. 

The Farm bill comes up for reauthorization. Federal farm policy is 

very important. 

The last thing I would mention is this, because I could probably 

go on and on, but the last thing I would mention is this: I did lead 

trade missions all over the world. I just believe that trade is hugely 

important. There is not going to be 1 minute of drop-off in our emphasis on trade issues if I am confirmed by this Senate. To all 

those who might be out there listening or in the hearing room, I 

am going to do everything I can to push as aggressively as I can 

to make sure that markets are open to our food. It is important. 

I spoke yesterday with Senator Baucus about some issues, but 

one of the things that we talked about was the whole idea of international standards. Again, I just want to emphasize that I am 

going to put a tremendous amount of emphasis on trade issues and 

making sure that trade is fair and that it’s open to the products 

that our farmers and ranchers produce in this country. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. 

Governor, as Secretary of Agriculture, you will have to carry out 

the authorities of the Farm bill, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. It is my hope that you will continue to implement and carry out the authority as it exists in current law, as I 

am sure you will. Attempts have been made in the past year, since 

the passage of this law, to amend it and to make changes in different areas of the law, some of which have been noted by Senator 

Harkin. 

If confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, how will you uphold and 

implement this law as passed by Congress? 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, as I indicated, I was, at least from a 

Governor’s standpoint, a part of the process that led up to the 

Farm bill. It had some input from the State level. 

You know, Senator, here is what I would offer. The proposals 

that were made, of course, were before I arrived on the scene. I will 

do everything I can to work with this committee—both sides—to 

try to get your ideas and your input, to try to gauge your concerns 

as to where you think we need to put emphasis and where we need 

to support this Farm bill. Today, at least, I guess what I would say 

to you, the door is open. I will be over here talking to the committee and working with the committee. 

We all recognize, I certainly do as a Governor, having gone 

through two really difficult years from a budget standpoint, that 

budget issues are always out there. There is just that reality, and 

so I will do everything I can to work with you on those issues, also. 

My promise today is, Mr. Chairman, as these issues arise, I hope 

17

I can get your input. I hope I can be in your offices. I hope we can 

work through these issues because they are never easy, but I will 

do everything I can to work with you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Great. Thank you. 

USDA has announced that it will reopen the border to Canadian 

cattle under certain circumstances. You mentioned this briefly in 

your statement. Cattle ranchers all across the country are concerned, as they should be. In fact, I spoke with our colleague, Senator Conrad Burns, earlier this week from his home in Montana 

and gave him a commitment that we are going to hold a hearing 

on this issue in the short term. Within days of the announcement 

by USDA, the Canadian Government confirmed that a dairy cow 

from Alberta had tested positive for BSE. Now, there is a report 

in the Canadian press that the Canadian government tests of cattle 

feed revealed that 59 percent of the samples of cattle feed that 

were tested include animal proteins which are not supposed to be 

present. 

Given these last two developments, would it not be wise to postpone the opening of the border until we are sure of exactly what 

the situation is, relative to the Canadian issue. 

Governor JOHANNS. As a nominee, today, Mr. Chairman, I would 

not indicate any kind of decision to postpone opening the border, 

but again let me offer a couple of thoughts. This is a very important issue. One of the things I mentioned in my opening statement 

is that we are the nation’s largest processor of beef products literally in the United States. We raise a lot of cattle. We have Cowcalf operators and we have fat cattle people in our State, also. This 

has occupied a tremendous amount of my time. 

You have indicated that you will have a hearing process, I believe in the clips I read this morning before coming into the hearing room. The House has indicated likewise that there will be a 

hearing process. 

Today, what I can offer to you is I will participate aggressively 

in that hearing. I have had some briefing from the USDA about the 

rule, and it is making its way through the process here, but I can 

guarantee you I will aggressively come up to speed on that and 

work with this committee. It is an important issue. From my standpoint, again, the offer is I will do everything I can to work with 

the committee and get through this process. 

I look at it from the standpoint of a couple of things: animal safety and food safety. We need to make sure that those issues have 

been touched, that we have paid attention to them and that we are 

doing the right things in those areas in terms of this rule and in 

terms of Canada. I will do that. I will make sure that I am ready 

to go when you are ready for the hearing. 

The CHAIRMAN. Great. 

Senator HARKIN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and 

again thank you for recognizing Congressman Chambliss. I didn’t 

see him sitting out there, but I, too, really want to thank you for 

working so closely together on the 2002 Farm bill. I don’t know if 

I remember fondly, but I do remember the long weekends, and the 

Saturdays and the Sundays, sitting there hammering it out. Again, 

I want to publicly thank you for the great bipartisanship that we 

have worked to get that Farm bill. Thank you again, Larry. 

18

Governor Johanns, just a couple of things I want to cover with 

you. The Conservation Security Program, participation in it was 

much slower than what USDA predicted. They enrolled only 2,080 

producers, less than half of what they had projected. 

Further, because of the low enrollment, USDA had to make advanced payments in order to expend even the limited $41 million 

that was available in 2004. 

Given the extremely high level of producer interest in CSP, Conservation Security Program, as I’ve said, every farm group, every 

commodity group, from rice to cotton to corn to wheat, everything 

are all extremely interested in this and supportive of it. Because 

of that, these low enrollment figures point to deterrence to enrollment in the program’s rules. 

Now, we designed a program, the Farm bill. It was intended to 

be attractive to producers nationwide. We intended a significant 

and lasting conservation benefits from widespread participation. 

Again, I guess what I would like is your commitment that USDA 

will help achieve the original program objectives that were in the 

Farm bill. Before the CSP regulations are made final, will you examine the payment rates to producers and the restrictions and requirements imposed on them to make sure producers will enroll in 

the CSP as envisioned in the Farm bill and not be driven away 

from the program? 

My question is will you examine the payment rates and the restriction requirements prior to that final rule? 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. Senator, I will. I’ll take a look at those 

payment rates. I would say again you would not have to look very 

deep into my past as Governor to indicate that the conservation 

programs have my support. Our agricultural groups in state, as 

you described, have been very supportive. Making it work right and 

making sure that we can fund it and finance it are things that I’ll 

do everything I can to work with you and other members of the 

committee and Senate on. 

Your observation is correct. The conservation programs very definitely garnered a tremendous amount of support from farm groups 

and the average producer out there. 

I might also mention, just simply because it’s gotten some attention in a separate but related program, we have a CREP application pending in our State that we were very excited about, and 

Congressman Osborne and Senator Nelson and Senator Hagel have 

been helpful on that. 

I will—I would take a look at those. 

Senator HARKIN. I appreciate that. 

Governor JOHANNS. I’ll try to get back with you on that. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Governor. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator HARKIN. Second, I mentioned earlier in my opening 

statement about the biobased products requirement that is in the 

Farm bill that applies not just to the Department of Agriculture, 

but to every Department and Agency; that they must procure 

biobased products when they are reasonably equivalent in per price 

performance and availability. When you consider how much the 

Federal Government buys every year of paper plates and plastic 

cups and spoons and knives and hydraulic fluid, they could be soy 

19

bean based. Things like that. You can see the potential benefits for 

this, both from a—there is a win-win on everything, from the environment to our rural areas. It is value-added agriculture. 

The rules and guidelines are over 2 years late. In April of last 

year, the Government Accounting Office, GAO, came out with a report; faulted USDA’s leadership and management for the slow pace 

of carrying out this procurement requirement. 

Governor, would you be able to make the commitment that you 

will make the Farm bill’s energy title, including the biobased procurement, a top priority? 

Governor JOHANNS. It will be a top priority, and, Senator, I believe I bring something to the table on this issue, as past lead Governor on the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition. I chaired that, and, in 

fact, that was an area where Governor Hoeven and I--he was chair 

while I was vice chair and then I became chair--worked together. 

I’ve been a very big proponent in this area, and in our State, we 

even went beyond that and made sure that our money was where 

our rhetoric was. We’ve invested heavily. That’s a piece. 

I am familiar with the issue you’ve raised. I’m not sure why 2 

years have been involved here. It will be a priority for me. I know 

it’s a priority for you, and I’ll do everything I can to push that process. 

Senator HARKIN. I appreciate that very much, Governor. Last, a 

lot of people think I am only being parochial when I talk about the 

National Animal Disease Labs, since it is in Ames, Iowa. It is a national lab, whether it is like CDC in Georgia. I do not think that 

Senator Chambliss or anyone from Georgia as being particularly 

parochial when they want the CDC to succeed and grow and have 

the best facilities, because it is a national facility. So is this National Animal Disease Laboratory. It just happens to be located in 

Iowa. Because of all the problems we are looking at—as I mentioned earlier, avian flu virus, the BSE problems that we are having, perhaps the imminent threat that could happen from intentional terrorists attacks on our food supply. It is just vitally important that we get this facility finished and upgraded as soon as possible. Thank you. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. I’ll share a story with you, if I 

might. 

Senator HARKIN. Sure. 

Governor JOHANNS. My first spring break from Saint Mary’s College, I came home, and I was doing chores and stuff; and we had 

a cow go down——

Senator HARKIN. Now, is this a story you can tell in front of your 

wife? 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. I sure can. 

Senator HARKIN. OK. 

Governor JOHANNS. We had a cow go down in the barn frothing 

at the mouth, and we drug it out. We took the head of that animal 

to that lab. 

Senator HARKIN. To the lab. 

Governor JOHANNS. We found out that it was rabid. I went 

through the series of shots. No fun. I’m very familiar, very familiar, 

with that lab. They do good work. 

Senator HARKIN. Thank you very much, Governor. 

20

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Cochran. 

Senator COCHRAN. Mr. Chairman, thank you. Conservation programs are obviously very important in all parts of our country, and 

the last Farm bill provides the opportunity for the Federal Government to take an even more active role in helping to protect the 

quality of our environment and to help sustain the private individual ownership of land. A lot of that land that has been put in 

production in the past in my State, for example, probably should 

never have been put in agriculture production, but it was. 

Now, we have the challenge of trying to figure out what is the 

proper balance, and I would encourage you to look carefully at the 

conservation programs we have on the books and to request the appropriations that are needed in the annual budget process to help 

ensure that these conservation programs meet the needs of our 

country, not just to the landowners, but the public generally. 

That is just a suggestion and an observation and a comment. 

One other thing: I was pleased to see you mention the trade opportunities and the fairness issue; the fact that our trading partners have to be held accountable for dealing with our country in 

a straightforward and honest way when it comes to opportunities 

for selling what we produce in their markets. It is such a big part 

of our economy now that it cannot be overlooked or just assume 

that it is going to work out, and then take it for granted. 

For example, I know in our State, people do not realize this but 

one of the largest money-making agriculture activities is poultry 

production. The export market is essential to a healthy poultry industry. 

Russia, for example, has been buying a good bit of poultry. From 

time to time, we may have a disagreement on some subject, and 

all of a sudden there is a problem with the quality of our poultry 

that has just been discovered and nothing has changed. That is 

used as an excuse to keep poultry out of that market. 

I hope you will have an opportunity to become acquainted with 

some of these specific challenges, and I wonder if you have any 

thoughts right now about what your role, as Secretary of Agriculture, could be in situations like that, to help ensure that our exporters are treated fairly in the international marketplace? 

Governor JOHANNS. As I indicated in response to the Chairman’s 

question, trade is just a very, very significant priority for me. It 

was as Governor. It will continue to be if I’m confirmed as Secretary. 

I could not agree with your thoughts more. There is nothing 

more frustrating than to be working through a process that is not 

based upon good science, to be working through a process that has 

all the feel of being based upon political dynamics and whatever. 

We have to have an international approach that basically deals 

with these issues swiftly, otherwise we will continue to run into 

these problems that just extend for ever and ever. 

I believe, as Secretary, that I can play a key role here, not only 

in trade policies, but offering our input and then also offering the 

scientific information that is necessary to make good trade decisions. 

We have a lot of resources out there. Senator Harkin mentioned 

the facility in Ames, which I’m familiar with. Land grant univerVerDate 0ct 09 2002 13:01 Apr 18, 2005 Jkt 097781 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 C:\DOCS\97781.TXT TOSHD PsN: TOSH
21

sities all over this country are doing some remarkable things in 

terms of food science and biotechnology and safety issues. If we can 

bring them to bear and approach these issues in a way that really 

is based upon good science, then my hope is we can minimize them. 

We can aggressively address them and deal with them. 

Senator COCHRAN. One thing I noticed that there may be an 

emerging conflict of opinion about is the implementation of the 

U.S. Forest Service’s regulations that have recently been published 

to implement the Healthy Forest Act provisions. 

I put a statement in the record yesterday congratulating the U.S. 

Forest Service on its actions in identifying the ways to properly implement the Act to help sustain our forests, to help ensure that 

managers have opportunities to exercise their judgment and not be 

burdened with a lot of unnecessary paperwork and requirements 

that take months, even years sometimes, to implement a forest 

management plan. 

I applaud the efforts that are being made by Secretary Mark 

Rey, others in the Forest Service, and the Department of Agriculture to carry out their responsibilities, and I hope you will assume leadership in this area, too, so that we can see that Act implemented and not be frightened by some of the scare tactics that 

are being published by those who criticize these efforts. I hope you 

will not back down and try to push forward and do what is right, 

carry out the provisions of this Act as written. 

Governor JOHANNS. You know, I will not, and I applaud their efforts also. There was a desperate need for action in this area. This 

was a major piece of our discussions at Western Governors, and, 

although we have more prairie land in Nebraska than forest land, 

I am very aware of the significance of these issues and the priority 

that this committee has placed upon these issues. 

I might also mention that I, just in the last week, have received 

information from the Western Governors on some of their discussions. I’ll work with them. I’ll work with this committee. Much is 

needed to be done here, and they are aggressively pursuing this 

agenda at the Forest Service. I’ll do everything I can to support 

that. 

Senator COCHRAN. Mr. Chairman, I realize I probably have 

talked too long already, but I have been asked to ask a question 

on behalf of Senator Grassley, who cannot be here due to the President’s request for a meeting this morning with him. 

On his behalf, I ask this: Senator Grassley was recently informed 

that the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry 

is still maintaining a protectionist position on U.S. beef importation. MAF, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry 

wants to delay the pending importation of U.S. beef under the auspice that a change at the Secretary level should allow the process 

to slow down. 

Governor Johanns, you have talked about this issue with Senator 

Grassley and many others on this committee in the past few days. 

Could you reiterate your opinions about the importance of reestablishing the beef trade with Japan and the priority you plan to 

apply to this situation? 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you for the question, and I’d express 

to Senator Grassley my appreciation for the question. 

22

Let me be as emphatic as I possibly can. There is going to be no 

let up, no slow down, in our efforts to reopen Japan to our beef 

products—none whatsoever. 

If there is one paramount reason why I am so very anxious to 

get confirmed, it’s to go to work on that issue as a top priority. It 

is time, and I’m going to do everything I can, hopefully with the 

support of this committee and the support of everyone involved, to 

move this process aggressively. To Those are listening, and I suspect there are some in the hearing room and probably some tuned 

in to see what I’d say about this, I hope they just are aware of the 

fact that it is my intention to make sure that there’s absolutely no 

slow down, no let up. This is going to have my immediate attention 

from the very moment that I become Secretary of Agriculture, if 

confirmed by this committee. 

Thanks again for the question. 

Senator COCHRAN. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Baucus. 

Senator BAUCUS. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. Secretary-Designate, and first of all I wish you the very best 

of luck. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator BAUCUS. This is a tough job. 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. Yes. 

STATEMENT OF HON. MAX BAUCUS, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

MONTANA 

Senator BAUCUS. You have a lot of different constituencies that 

are banging on your door. It is very, very tough. You are in a huge 

position of trust. There are also huge opportunities. 

No. 1, I would like to just spend a couple of minutes talking 

about the BSE matter. 

I was very pleased to hear you say that you believe in scientific 

standards, international standards. I am just wondering—I am 

asking you to take this opportunity—it is a huge opportunity for 

the United States. Essentially, the OIE standards are being somewhat met by some countries around the world, but not entirely. 

Even the United States does not entirely—countries to back off a 

bit, because of political reasons. In my view, and it is the view of 

most people, that the United States has a huge opportunity here 

to lead the countries worldwide in developing those standards and 

developing the transparency in the development of those standards 

and the implementation of those standards so that our producers 

and consumers are assured as well as possible that the BSE is 

being dealt with, and producers can produce their livestock, and 

the consumers can enjoy the results of all that. 

Otherwise, we are going to have a very difficult time. Frankly, 

I believe that this is the approach that must be taken not only with 

Canada, but also with Japan, Taiwan, and other countries, who 

have announced that they are going up, but have not done so. 

I am as concerned with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 

and Fisheries as anybody else, and I know your are, too. We have 

to get moving on this. It is going to take a lot of effort. You know 

how large this bureaucracy and this Federal Government is, and 

how difficult it is to get something through. It is extremely difVerDate 0ct 09 2002 13:01 Apr 18, 2005 Jkt 097781 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 C:\DOCS\97781.TXT TOSHD PsN: TOSH
23

ficult. I just urge you with as much intelligence and passion as you 

can muster to get moving on this and take the opportunity to lead. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Baucus can be found in the 

appendix on page 66.] 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator BAUCUS. I would like your reaction to that, please? 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. My reaction is aggressively the same 

comment. This is a huge priority for me. This is something that I 

can’t wait to start working on, and Senator, with your help, the 

help of the other members of the committee, the help literally of 

anybody I can muster to this effort, I am going to do everything 

I can to reopen trade. 

Senator BAUCUS. I also suggest that you are going to have to go 

the extra mile on this, because there are a lot of producers that are 

wondering why did the United States make this announcement 

that is going to begin to open up with Canada, even though it knew 

the BSE problem into Canada. That was not public at the time, but 

USDA knew about it. Producers, they are not dumb. They know 

what is going on. 

The attempt to pull the wool over producers’ eyes by announcing 

that we are going to let Canadian cattle in, albeit in under 30 

months, but knowing at the same time, but not telling the public 

about the BSE problem in Canada, it does not help. 

Therefore, you have an extra burden to carry here. You have to 

develop the trust of producers more. It has been somewhat weakened on account of that timing. 

Governor JOHANNS. It’s been very, very gratifying to me that 

many of those producers and many agriculture organizations have 

stepped up when my nomination was announced and said ‘‘Mike is 

the guy; we support this.’’ I guess that indicates that they have 

built a level of trust with me in the time that I’ve been Governor. 

I take none of that for granted. I will do everything I can to work 

with producers and producer groups. I’ve done that in my time as 

Governor and intend to continue to do that as Secretary. 

Senator BAUCUS. Well, you are going to have to really work at 

this. I asked your predecessor to send a special envoy to Japan, to 

encourage the Japanese to get off the dime. It never happened. She 

did not do that. I do not know why. 

I encourage you to not only send a special envoy, but you yourself raise this personally, directly with your counterparts in Japan. 

I must tell you, in my experience with Japan on beef issues, and 

I have 27 years of history on this, that it is not going to be probably enough. This has to be bumped up to the Presidential level. 

President Bush is going to have to directly push Prime Koizumi 

on this directly. That is not going to be enough. You are going to 

have to have leverage. The United States is going to have to say 

to Japan either you do this or we are not going to do something, 

or vice versa. This has to be that way. 

As well as I, you are not the only one concerned with Japanese 

issues. You have the State Department. You got a Treasury Department. You got all these other kind of agencies. I just strongly 

urge you, as much as possible, and I strongly urge the President 

to take this one up directly, because, otherwise, it is just going to 

24

languish. It is just going to be a lot of talk. Talkie. Talkie. Talk. 

Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. Not a lot is going to happen. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator BAUCUS. What are you going to do? 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, again, let me just reiterate. I’m going 

to do everything I possibly can. This has my personal attention. I 

am going to do everything I can to encourage the attention of everybody on this issue. It is time. The Department has done very, 

very good work in terms of addressing the technical and scientific 

issues that have been raised over the past year. I believe those 

issues have now been addressed. I believe the technical questions 

have been answered. I believe the scientific questions have been 

answered, and it’s now time to get down to the agreement to reopen the border. 

Senator BAUCUS. Back to Japan. When I was over there not too 

long ago, and I raised this approach with Japanese officials—I did 

not see the Prime Minister, but his Cabinet Secretary—he clearly 

agreed that this is the right approach. We got a little daylight out 

of him, not a lot, but a little daylight. I just again urge you very 

strongly, with as much conviction and passion as you can possibly 

muster to get this thing solved in the right way, with the lay 

standards, international standards, based on science, so that both 

producers and consumers know that we are doing the right, getting 

the right approach and that they are going to get a good resolution. 

Governor JOHANNS. You have given me great direction and 

marching orders. I’m ready to go to work. 

Senator BAUCUS. Thank you. I wanted to go join with you the 

other dime. 

Governor JOHANNS. Great. 

Senator BAUCUS. Thank you. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Roberts. 

Senator ROBERTS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Governor, I was on 

WIBW this morning, the farm station in Topeka, Kansas. They 

were very much aware of this hearing, and they said what questions are you going to ask the Governor? I said, well, I have already done that, with a personal call that he made to my office. I 

went over them. It is pretty tough out there in terms of ice and 

snow. We probably had a lot of listeners, but I hope they are listening to this hearing as well, because I was terribly impressed by the 

comprehensive nature of your statement, because the farmers are 

looking for a bully pulpit champion to be the Secretary of Agriculture. Not that the previous Secretaries have not been. You have 

indicated that. You have a passion for this job. It is obvious. 

I want all farmers in Kansas and, for that matter, across the 

country to know that now we have a Secretary that can sit on the 

‘‘wagon tongue’’ and discuss things with our producers in any state, 

all throughout the nation. 

We want to welcome you to Kansas. Ever since the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, we have been close, and our problems are your 

problems. Our challenges are your challenges. I want to invite you 

to come down to Kansas State and also any other part of Kansas 

during our State Fair, and sit on the wagon. Now, just do not come 

on game day. That might be a little tough. 

25

Senator BAUCUS. Mr. Chairman, if I might. 

Senator ROBERTS. I would insist on regular order. 

Senator BAUCUS. I would do it, too. It is the best way to proceed. 

Will there be other questions? A new round of questions? 

The CHAIRMAN. Yes. We will——

Senator BAUCUS. Thank you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Go as long as everybody wants to go. 

Senator BAUCUS. Thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. As a member of this committee, and Chairman 

of the Intelligence Committee, as I discussed with you, one of my 

top priorities is ensuring our national security. It has taken us 

about 5 or 6 years, but we have finally reached the point where the 

intelligence community rates our food security, which we used to 

call agroterrorism, but we do not do that, because it scares people 

now. It is in the top five concerns. 

The President issued last year—he made it a priority through 

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9, H.S.P.D. 9—everything has to be an acronym around here. That was last spring. 

What are your views in regard to the manner in which we can 

continue to strengthen our security in this area, including the complete coordination so that you are right there at that table in regards to the intelligence that we have to have with the CIA and 

the Department of Homeland Security and DOD and other relevant 

agencies? 

Governor JOHANNS. Needless to say, my goal, my plan is to be 

at that table and offer the viewpoint of Agriculture to food security, 

but I’d offer a couple specific things if I could. 

One is, on Plum Island, the Department of Homeland Security 

has laboratory facilities to deal with some of the most infectious 

diseases that may impact livestock, and, therefore, food supply. 

Personally, I believe there’s a need for redundancy in that effort. 

There is a need to expand, if you will, that ability to do testing. 

We have many great facilities around the country, and I personally 

believe, with a fairly limited investment, we could improve our 

ability to do that kind of testing. 

Our border security. Gosh, you read a lot about border security, 

a lot of discussion about border security. My goal is to do everything I can with the Department of Homeland Security to make 

sure that what we are doing, we are doing in complete partnership 

with them in terms of security at our borders relative to our food 

supply. 

I would also say there is a first responder issue out there in this 

area, and that is with our State Departments of Agriculture across 

this country. We think we’ve done some really exciting things in 

our State relative to this whole issue of food security. We have 

plans in place. We go through drills. We do all of those things to 

be prepared in case that an event happens that we pray never happens. We’ve done a tremendous amount, and our Department of 

Agriculture is a part of that process. 

There’s one last thing I wanted to mention, Senator, that I believe offers great opportunity. A few months ago, I announced a regional program in which we would work with States in our region, 

and there were nine or 10 that have joined in this effort. Our State, 

I put a couple hundred thousand dollars to start the planning efVerDate 0ct 09 2002 13:01 Apr 18, 2005 Jkt 097781 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 C:\DOCS\97781.TXT TOSHD PsN: TOSH
26

fort. I believe there’s an opportunity here for our States to join 

forces in a regional way. Maybe it’s not necessary to build a lab in 

every university. It’s necessary to have a lab in that area, in that 

region, so if you have a problem or an outbreak of some kind, you 

can test it. You can identify it. You can isolate it. 

Now, getting States to work together in a regional way takes 

some effort. I do believe there’s great promise there, and I believe 

we also have much of the structure in place with our Departments 

around the country. 

Senator ROBERTS. I thank you for your answer. My time is up, 

but I do want to tag along with the comments made by Senator 

Baucus, although he has fled the scene here—pardon me, ridden off 

into the sunset. At any rate, this Japanese business is so important. Mr. Chairman, I am going to suggest that you and Senator 

Harkin and the rest of us get a letter going to the President indicating that the President and the Secretary of State, Secretary of 

Commerce, Secretary Rice and Gutierrez, the president himself, if 

any subject comes up in regards to Japan, certainly thanking them 

for the relief in regards to the tragedy over in that part of the 

world and in regards to Indonesia and the surrounding countries, 

every time we get a chance to talk to the Japanese, every member 

of this committee gets a chance to talk, whether it is, good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, we ought to mention this. It 

ought to be a total posse effort to get this thing done. The question 

read earlier by Senator Cochran on behalf of Senator Grassley is 

simply not acceptable. 

Mr. Secretary, I hope you would join us in this effort. It is going 

to take that kind of pressure. There is no reason that we cannot 

open up this market. Animals 30 months and younger just are not 

part of this problem. I would hope and suggest, sir, and I know you 

are going to have a hearing on the Canadian situation, I commend 

you for that. We have a bully pulpit champion now, and we ought 

to get everybody involved in the administration and everybody on 

this committee. 

I thank you, Governor. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

The CHAIRMAN. Good suggestion. We will work on that. 

Senator Conrad. 

Senator CONRAD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, congratulations to you. I look forward to working with you. 

The CHAIRMAN. Same here. 

Senator CONRAD. Congratulations to Chairman Cochran as well, 

on his new position. 

Senator COCHRAN. Thank you, Kent. 

Senator CONRAD. There is somebody in the audience I want to 

recognize, too, and that is former chairman, Larry Combest, who 

those of us who were negotiators spent a lot of time dealing with 

on the last Farm bill. Really, I do not think I have ever dealt with 

anybody that was a finer Member of Congress or a finer member 

of the Agriculture Committee or leader than Larry Combest. Deeply knowledgeable and totally honorable. His word was gold. Those 

of us who negotiated with him at great length learned that about 

Larry Combest in the Farm bill discussion. 

Governor, welcome to you. 

27

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator CONRAD. Congratulations on your selection as well. I 

very much enjoyed our visit. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator CONRAD. Mr. Chairman, I sent a letter to your office and 

the ranking member asking for a hearing on this question of mad 

cow disease in Canada and opening the border. I understand you 

have already agreed to do that. I appreciate that very much. It is 

important. 

There are a lot of issues out there that have not been dealt with, 

and I ask you, Governor, if you would support the notion of a hearing before the rule is implemented. 

Governor JOHANNS. I believe that hearing is going to be prior to 

the expiration of the 60 session days, and so the answer is yes. If 

I’m confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, you will have the participation of this department. My hope is that we can work with you 

to bring whatever information you need, bring the people in who 

have been a part of the process, and literally try to answer any 

questions you have. 

I will—if you want my personal participation or whatever——try 

to be as helpful as I can. 

STATEMENT OF HON. KENT CONRAD, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

NORTH DAKOTA 

Senator CONRAD. It is important, it really is. I appreciate that 

answer, Governor, and it is important. We look at our own FDA 

and what they are telling us. We have 19 import alerts concerning 

Canadian feed company products since October of 2003. Eight of 

those alerts are still in force. There has been now a series of articles in the Canadian press. I just draw to your attention the article 

in the Vancouver Sun that said, ‘‘Secret tests reveal cattle feed contaminated by animal parts. Mad Cow fears spark review of vegetable-only livestock feeds.’’

If you go into the article, they report there, it is very interesting, 

a series of secret tests on cattle feed conducted by the Federal Government earlier this year—this was written in the middle of December of last year, just about 3 weeks ago—that these secret tests 

found that more than half the feed tested contained animal parts 

not listed on the ingredients, according to internal documents obtained by the Vancouver Sun. ‘‘The test results raised troubling 

questions about whether rules banning the feeding of cattle remains to other cattle, the primary way in which mad cow disease 

is spread, are being routinely violated.’’

It goes on: ‘‘According to internal Canadian food inspection agency documents obtained by The Sun through the Access to Information Act, 70 feed samples labeled as vegetable-only were tested by 

the agency between January and March of 2004. Of those, 41—or 

59 percent—were found to contain undeclared animal materials.’’

Now, that raises an enormous red flag for us with respect to 

what Canada is doing. My understanding is USDA has relied on 

the regulations that Canada has in place. If those regulations are 

being routinely violated, then we are counting on something that 

is not happening. That raises serious concern, and we need to fully 

28

review that and address that in a hearing and, hopefully, have 

time to react before this rule is implemented. 

Now, I have—the chairman has adopted, very reasonably, the 

early bird rule here. I was late to this hearing because I was called 

to a meeting about the budgets of the various committees. I was 

there, in part defending the Agriculture Committee budget because 

the chairman and ranking member, obviously, could not be at that 

meeting. I am going to defer my other questions in deference to my 

colleagues who were here before I was. I want to thank them for 

allowing me to go ahead. 

I thank the chairman. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Conrad can be found in the 

appendix on page 67.] 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Talent. 

STATEMENT OF HON. JAMES TALENT, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

MISSOURI 

Senator TALENT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that, 

Mr. Chairman. Congratulations to you. 

I also wanted to comment, as Senator Roberts did, on how much 

I appreciate the passion that the secretary-designate is showing toward agriculture. That is half the game. I am really looking forward to your service and think you will be confirmed. 

I certainly join with my colleagues on the cattle issues that we 

have been discussing here. Let me just go into a couple of other 

areas we have talked privately about, so I do not think they are 

going to come as a big surprise to you. 

I very much appreciated the parts of your statement regarding 

biotechnology, renewables, and value-added. I, too, see value-added 

agriculture as absolutely the future for family farming in this country. I hope you define it in a broad fashion, as I do. This is not a 

niche marketing just of a particular kind of a product, but it is our 

family farmers getting into the production at different levels of the 

food chain, the food and fiber chain, but also of other kinds of products that technology is going to make out of what we grow and 

raise. 

With a view toward that, give me your opinion, if you will, on 

the importance of plant science research and whether you will work 

with me and with the committee on how we can encourage that. 

That is one point I wanted to raise with you. Another, and we 

have talked a lot about BSE today, what do you think of the 

progress we are making toward an animal ID system? I am particularly concerned about your opinion on whether you intend to 

continue the department’s policy under Secretary Veneman, which 

I—it is no secret that I appreciated and approve of, of working with 

industry and our producers in developing this system, so that they 

see it—it really is, and the perception is, that it is a voluntary system rather than a coercive one, developed and implemented so as 

to fit and partner with them in their practices on the ranches, rather than forcing something on them. 

Address those two issues. You have already talked about renewables. If you have anything further you want to comment—I just 

see that as the center, not just of value-added agriculture, but also 

energy independence for the country. I appreciate very much your 

29

pledge to continue working with us on that. If you could talk about, 

I guess, the plant science issue and the animal ID issue, I would 

appreciate it. 

Thank you, Mr. Secretary. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Talent can be found in the 

appendix on page 69.] 

Governor JOHANNS. I’m a real believer in plant science research. 

You know, in our State, again, that’s been my experience over the 

last 6 years, so I’ll talk about it. We do some very exciting things 

in the area of plant science. We have something we call the Beadle 

Center. It was a new investment by our State a few years back. 

Again, I just think this is cutting-edge for us. I will also say that 

I’m aware of many good things going on in other parts of the country. 

The only caveat I offer is that we all deal with budgets, and you 

have to figure out how that works. One of the things I did in our 

tobacco settlement is I led the charge to set aside 10 percent of that 

for medical research a different area—but I just believe research in 

our university systems, and in the private sector for that matter, 

is just a great opportunity. 

Senator TALENT. We understand in other contexts, and all of us 

talk about other contexts, the importance of research because it 

leads to technological changes that then increase productivity and 

open up other opportunities. 

Governor JOHANNS. Exactly. 

Senator TALENT. I am wondering whether we have been conscious enough of that in agriculture. 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, I just believe there is more we can do. 

It is like I said in my opening statement. The yield we would get 

on corn if farmers would get together, and I remember them saying, ‘‘Well, I get 100 bushels per acre,’’ 125 bushels per acre’’—Look 

at what’s happened in a short period of time. Plus there’s an opportunity to do things with plants that, quite honestly, could save lives 

and improve health. I just think there’s remarkable opportunity 

here if we do the right things with our investments. 

Regarding, the animal ID system, if I might go to that question, 

I’m a believer. Again, you won’t have to look very far back in my 

history. We did a trade mission, and I came back from that trade 

mission, and I said very publicly to our producers, ‘‘I believe strongly we’ve got to move into animal ID.’’ I held a conference on that 

to start the education process. 

Now, the department has also been working on this with premises ID, then ultimately animal ID. I agree with you. This should 

not be about picking winners and losers. The department should 

have an idea as to where we want this to be, but then again, the 

private sector, in my judgment, should have the opportunity to define an ID system that might work for this area. 

I was meeting—I’m sorry, I forget the Senator—maybe, Senator, 

it was you—about the optical scan for animal ID, which is something, quite honestly, I wasn’t very familiar with but I knew it was 

out there. That may be an approach, but there are other approaches. Industry needs to be a part of this. The producers, the 

agriculture groups, and the industries that may provide the ID system. 

30

Then, finally, renewables. I really do believe that there’s a 

unique opportunity for us right now in this whole area of renewable fuels. We are just in an explosion of growth with ethanol. I 

believe it can exist for other products such as biodiesel and on and 

on. In our State, we are now at a point where one in every five 

bushels of corn, one in every six bushels of corn, in that vicinity, 

is processed into ethanol and shipped to other markets. My attitude toward the value-added initiatives that we did is you don’t exclude anything. A small initiative may work in this part of the 

country, a much larger initiative may work in another part of the 

country. My experience as chairman of the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition, will be very, very helpful if I’m confirmed by the Senate. 

Senator TALENT. I appreciate those comments. 

Mr. Chairman, I am out of time. I have some other questions 

that I would like to submit to the secretary-designate for the 

record, though. 

The CHAIRMAN. Certainly, without objection. 

Senator Lincoln. 

STATEMENT OF HON. BLANCHE LINCOLN, A U.S. SENATOR 

FROM ARKANSAS 

Senator LINCOLN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and congratulations. I would just like for you to notice that I have had my brunch 

of Georgia peanuts this morning. 

The CHAIRMAN. You feel a lot better, I can tell, too. 

Senator LINCOLN. I am also pleased that you are where you are, 

and I am looking forward to working with you in accomplishing 

much on this great committee. 

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you. 

Senator LINCOLN. I also want to add my public comments of gratitude for Chairman Cochran for the incredible job that he has done 

here in the committee. Working with him on nutrition issues, our 

Delta Caucus, hunger issues, the Farm bill, he has just done a tremendous job and provided great leadership. I am very grateful. I 

am also grateful that there will not be any language barriers as we 

move from Senator Cochran to Chairman Chambliss. We in the 

South appreciate not having to have any translators. I look forward 

to, again, working with Chairman Chambliss. 

I also would like to offer my public gratitude to Secretary 

Veneman. She was wonderful to work with and very open and 

available—as the Governor has mentioned he will be, and we look 

forward to that. 

Governor, we welcome you to the committee and look forward to 

working with you. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator LINCOLN. I’d like to echo the comments from my colleague and neighbor to the north in Missouri on the biotech and 

the plant sciences, having toured the Danforth plant science facilities in Missouri and realizing the incredible technology that we 

have that exists out there, we would love to work with you on really moving that forward. It means a tremendous amount to our 

country. As my colleague knows, it has meant a tremendous 

amount to other nations across the globe to be able to overcome 

31

whether it be drought or infestation and other things, to feed the 

millions of hungry that exist out there. 

I am also glad to hear your comments on biofuels and biodiesel 

in particular. We do not grow a lot of corn in Arkansas, but we do 

look toward the renewable fuels as a huge part of what we can do 

to boost our economy and create jobs. We know it will help our environment. We also know it will lessen our dependence on foreign 

oil. It is a win-win from every direction and we hope that we can 

make it a priority. I look forward to working with you on that. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator LINCOLN. As a farmer’s daughter myself—we are row 

croppers and still in the farming business. My brother is trying 

desperately to keep his head above water. We are very appreciative 

of recognition of the diversity that this committee represents across 

our Nation. There are regional differences, but more importantly, 

as you enter into this position, you will see how important it is to 

look collectively at the nation and the support that agricultural 

production provides this country in providing the safest and most 

abundant and affordable food supply, not just to Americans but certainly worldwide. 

I would just like to move to a couple of things and I will have 

additional questions I can submit. 

We have talked about—better than a year of earnest discussions 

with the Japanese government officials, to no avail, quite frankly, 

to getting a commitment from the Japanese. Just a few moments 

ago, I received a notice in a press release from Tyson Foods, which 

is the Nation’s largest beef packer and one of my State’s most respected and oldest corporate citizens—announcing that they will 

temporarily suspend operations in five of their beef plants for a period of three to 5 weeks—you know that well, because two of them 

are in Nebraska—beginning Monday. They estimate some 25,000 to 

30,000 cattle will not be processed each week that the plants are 

closed. I certainly think that this is a real indication that the rubber has met the road and shows how serious this and the other 

trade issues have become. I’m certainly pleased to hear you acknowledging the importance of trade to our agricultural industry. 

My constituents have briefed me on meetings with both the U.S. 

and the Japanese officials that have taken place recently. Their 

strong recommendation, and you have heard it from other members 

here, is that we have to move these discussions to another level. 

There is no doubt. We are seeing jobs, we are seeing an entire industry in our country critically damaged by what is not happening. 

I hope that we can look to you, to help us in endorsing and supporting the kind of envoy that Senator Baucus has mentioned or, 

more importantly, requesting the President himself engage the 

prime minister on these discussions. Thus far we are not getting 

anywhere in the current approach that is being taken. 

I hope we can look to you for that commitment of, as you said, 

doing everything you possibly can, but hopefully really going beyond that into where we need to go in asking for something that 

is going to work. 

Governor JOHANNS. Senator, I will. Let me say first, I have visited your State many times. You come from a very beautiful State. 

Senator LINCOLN. We would love to have you back. 

32

Governor JOHANNS. Have me back. 

Senator, I will. This is priority No. 1. Reopening with Japan is, 

in my judgment, something that needs to occupy my personal time 

and effort. I will do everything I can to elevate and lift this issue. 

Because it’s time. As I said, I do believe Under Secretary Penn and 

others have done yeomen’s work in meeting the scientific questions 

and the technical questions. We are really at a point where, if 

there’s one message to be sent today, I don’t intend this confirmation process to be any slowdown in our efforts with Japan. Very, 

very much the opposite. I take this very seriously. 

What you have described relative to Tyson is a very good example of what happens when the trade system is disrupted. It’s not 

just that producer out there in cow calf country, it’s not just that 

producer who’s feeding fat cattle, it’s right on through the whole 

system. Believe me, it won’t be long before your consumers are 

going to start asking, now, what is going on? Because it ripples 

through the whole system. It may take a little bit of time to do 

that, but that’s exactly what happens when you have that kind of 

trade disruption. 

Senator LINCOLN. Well, when corporate America has to be able 

to make those kind of decisions to be able to keep their head above 

water, it is really critical that we take note of it. 

Mr. Chairman, I note my time is up. I just would like to bring 

to the attention of the secretary-designee that since Congress did 

authorize the sale of U.S. agricultural products in 2000 and reinitiated it in 2002 to Cuba, there has been some widely reported ideas 

that the administration is considering a change in the requirements for those sales. I will be very interested to know your comments on that and what stance you will take within the administration on that issue as we talk about the importance of export 

markets and what it can do for our producers. That’s a critical 

place where we have to be objective about what opening markets 

can mean, and what it has done. I have asked some specifics in my 

questions for specific numbers through the department that you 

can respond with and I will look forward to your answer on that, 

too. 

Governor JOHANNS. I will be happy to respond in writing to that 

question. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Lincoln can be found in the 

appendix on page 71.] 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Thomas. 

Senator THOMAS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Welcome, Governor. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator THOMAS. We are delighted to have you here and look forward to working with you. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

STATEMENT OF HON. CRAIG THOMAS, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

WYOMING 

Senator THOMAS. I am going to be very short, as I have seen the 

red light on here quite a bit. Most of what I have to say is duplicative of the things that have already been said. I just want to go 

33

over a few of the things that are important to my state of Wyoming. 

One of them is, of course, country of origin labeling, which was 

passed by this committee a number of years ago, and is still out 

there. We need to get something done with that. We have talked 

about BSE and Canadian imports, of course, which is a are very, 

very important issue. It does seem as if we ought to be reluctant 

to expand those imports before other countries that we’ve been selling to in Asia are willing to take our products here as well. We 

need to take a look at USDA’s announcing inconclusive results on 

BSE testing before that has really been determined. Beef exports 

have been very important. Nineteen percent of beef has been exported in the past, largely to Asia, and that really is very important to us if we are going to continue to be there. 

I just happened to be down in Argentina and Brazil a couple of 

weeks ago on world climate warming, and it looks like there is 

going to be great expansion of beef production, probably, in Brazil. 

That is one of the things we need to be concerned about. 

We had some problems with a USDA inspected laboratory concluding cattle from eastern Wyoming were infected with brucellosis. It turned out that that was not the case, that the samples 

had been contaminated. I hope we can take a little look at that. 

Interestingly enough, in terms of brucellosis, the University of 

Wyoming has a good deal of research going on there. We are working particularly with wildlife and how to do something with that, 

but there have been restrictions put on by USDA for homeland security reasons, so the University cannot go forward with this brucellosis research. I hope we can do something about that. 

Certainly we are always interested in the multiple use of public 

lands, particularly, of course, in the Forest Service that you will 

have control over and would like to have more and more local input 

into the decisions that are made by the Forest Service. We have 

some confusion with demo fees, but then we can work that out. 

They should only be on places where there are some services. 

Lots of things. I will not take more time. Most of the things here 

that already have been spoken about certainly are important to us. 

If we can look forward together on keeping agriculture in its important position with respect to domestic and trade issues, why that 

is what we can do. 

Thank you very much. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Thomas can be found in the 

appendix on page 73.] 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Nelson. 

Senator NELSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

STATEMENT OF HON. BEN NELSON, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

NEBRASKA 

Let me begin by also adding my appreciation to Secretary 

Veneman for her very strong work on behalf of American agriculture. I want to compliment her on a job that has always been 

difficult. As a matter of fact, for a little while there I thought my 

colleague, Senator Baucus, in describing it as such a difficult job, 

might talk you out of it. 

34

[Laughter.] 

Senator NELSON. I want to talk you into it. It is a wonderful job. 

I know you will do great work in that regard. 

May I add my thoughts also about the problem we have right 

now with international trade. You have probably heard more about 

it than you might have anticipated. That was the case yesterday 

in the confirmation hearing for Secretary-designee Gutierrez in the 

Commerce Committee. Because I asked him similar questions. One 

of the things that you will learn here in a very short period of time 

is that no matter how many people have asked you the questions, 

if I have not asked it, it has not been asked yet. I said something 

similar to Mr. Gutierrez yesterday. 

In your future role with Secretary Gutierrez, with Ambassador 

Zoelleck, trade is going to continue to be in many respects the No. 

1 economic concern for many of us. It is not the only concern, but 

it is a No. 1 concern because we are entering a world that from all 

the trade missions that you conducted as Governor, I know from 

my trade missions that I conducted as Governor, how difficult it is 

to continue to be able to export in many of these markets. These 

non-tariff trade barriers and protectionism continue to be a problem for us as we move forward. 

I would only urge that you follow my good friend Senator Roberts’s advice about bringing your colleagues into the effort as well, 

because it is beyond the technical side. All the technical review has 

occurred, and maybe that was important, that we undertake that 

technical review. Now it has risen to the level of diplomacy at the 

highest level. The only thing to what Senator Roberts has said is 

that we also enlist the President and the Vice President in this effort as well because it has to be at the highest level. You and I 

have spoken about that, and we agree that that may be where it 

ultimately is if we do not get it resolved in the very near future. 

At times it might even seem like we are advocating trade wars 

or if they do not stop the protectionism we might have to go to our 

own devices to deal fairly, because free trade, in itself, in many 

cases results more in imports than it does in exports. I commend 

you for continuing the efforts of trade missions, and it is one of the 

value-added products that you bring to the job. You know firsthand what it is like to deal with foreign governments that may or 

may not be as interested in getting Nebraska products or American 

products as they are in making sure their products get here. 

Fair trade. Non-tariff protectionism has to stop. I am very happy 

that you are going to look at that very carefully. 

What I would like to ask, you have heard about the country of 

origin labeling, we heard about animal identification, and all these 

are becoming far more important than perhaps they were even 2 

years ago, although some of us predicted that we might end up 

where we are today. As part of the discovery of BSE, the USDA has 

announced a new regulation which I thought was important at the 

time that it was introduced, and that was for downer animals, and 

applied across the board whether they were sick or injured. Now, 

as we think about the fact that an injured animal may not represent the threat to the food chain that clearly a sick animal does, 

do you have any thoughts about what you might do to take a look 

at that as we move forward? 

35

Governor JOHANNS. The downer animal regulation really went to 

the animals that show the greatest potential for risk. At this point, 

we have tested about 160,000 animals, 165,000 animals. We continue to test them on an ongoing basis. That was, really, not done 

as a food-safety approach; it was done more as a ‘‘let’s see what’s 

out there’’, surveillance approach. Remarkably our animals have 

tested well through that process. 

You know, I guess what I would say, there’s a point probably in 

the upcoming year where we’ll take a look at that testing. We’ll 

bring the folks in who have done it, review the science, and look 

at the whole area. Today I do have to tell you I supported Secretary Veneman when she announced that—probably most of us 

did—just simply to assure the public that we were aggressively on 

top of this issue. I want to leave this hearing with that same assurance. Gosh, in the testing that’s been done, which has been very 

extensive—lots of animals have been tested—our animals have 

done well in the past year. A hundred and sixty thousand. These 

are pretty remarkable results. 

Senator NELSON. Now when we know more because of the experience that we have and the testing that has been undertaken, we 

might be able to go back and take a look at that stopgap measure 

in light of what we know, and maybe make some modifications that 

would not—that would continue to reassure the consuming public, 

but would not overly burden the producers. 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, the one thing that we will have available with this testing is a body of information that was simply not 

available a year ago. It’s a very extensive body of information. With 

that in mind, Senator, I’d be more than willing to engage in the 

conversation again as we near a point. The goal is to probably test 

about 250,000 animals, or 260,000, somewhere in that vicinity, and 

then take a look at how we’re doing. 

Senator NELSON. Thank you. Congratulations. Good luck. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Coleman. 

Senator COLEMAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Mr. Chairman, let me first offer my congratulations to you. You 

may be new in this position, but you have a long history of being 

a strong spokesperson for the American farmer and the rancher, 

chairman of the subcommittee in the House Agriculture, serving on 

this committee. I am honored to call you my chairman and my 

friend and to congratulate you on your leadership. 

I want to publicly acknowledge Senator Cochran, Chairman 

Cochran, who took time out of his busy schedule to visit with some 

of my farmers and ranchers in a town in Minnesota. He was an extraordinary gentleman, and it has been a pleasure to serve with 

him. 

I start with congratulations. 

Governor, great to have you here. Everyone is claiming a little 

bit of ownership here. You have that Iowa work ethic. The Governor got smart in Minnesota, attending St. Mary’s College in Winona and graduating there. We are thrilled to have you here. I also 

have had the opportunity of knowing the Governor for awhile and 

his very talented wife Stephanie. The Governor served as mayor, 

but it was the bottom of the political food chain where I started. 

36

We worked together when he was mayor of the capital of Nebraska 

and I was mayor of St. Paul. 

You came before this committee and asked about earning our 

confidence. I will tell you, Governor, you have earned my confidence. 

STATEMENT OF HON. NORM COLEMAN, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

MINNESOTA 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator COLEMAN. You have earned my confidence from your 

outstanding record of public service. You have earned my confidence from the fact that, as many have said here, you have a passion for this. You have dirt under your fingernails, you grew up on 

a dairy farm. I believe you worked in a dairy processing plant to 

help pay your way through college. We get a twofer here, by the 

way. We get you and then we get Stephanie. America is going to 

be well served by your leading the Department of Agriculture. You 

have earned my confidence. 

Let me associate myself, in the short time I have, with a few of 

the things that have already been said—the comments of my colleague, Senator Talent, concerning renewable fuels. You have already provided leadership in that area for our States, for Minnesota, for Nebraska, for America. It is important. Senator Cochran 

talked about the Healthy Forest Program and asking you to assume leadership, and you said you would, that you would push forward. I want to stand with Senator Cochran on that regard. The 

comments of a number of my colleagues—Senator Baucus, Senator 

Grassley’s questions about opening up the Japanese market. It has 

to be done, it has to be done now. We need leadership. We need 

leadership, we need the President to be involved. 

I had mentioned at one point in time, Senator Baucus had talked 

about appointing an envoy. Minnesota was the home of a former 

Ambassador to Japan, former Vice President Walter Mondale, who 

knows these issues. There are folks out there who would serve and 

work with you. We need to move forward. It is an area of extraordinary importance. 

During the chance that we had to visit, we talked a little bit 

about sugar. Minnesota is the largest sugar producing and processing region in the Nation, and it is important to our folks. The 

dump price, world dump price for sugar is about 6 to 8 cents per 

pound, and the average price of production is around 16 cents. We 

have a problem here. It is a global problem. I would ask, Governor, 

that you work with us as we work on trade agreements. We have 

a nice template in Australia, with the concept that sugar needs to 

be dealt with in a global context. It needs to be dealt with in the 

context of the WTO. That is the right thing to do. All we are talking about here is leveling the playing field, that other nations provide—they subsidize and they protect their producers. We have a 

no-net-cost-to-the-taxpayer program, but we are looking for a level 

playing field. 

I would just ask you, Nebraska has—in addition to everything 

else, Nebraska has sugar. 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. 

37

Senator COLEMAN. I know you understand this issue. I just want 

to reiterate here the importance of it and that we work with our 

trade representatives and that you raise that very powerful and articulate and knowledgeable voice of yours in regard to this issue. 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, thank you. Your observation is right. 

We do have sugar, mostly in the western part of our State, in the 

Scotts Bluff area. 

Senator I look forward to working with you on the issue. I will 

be happy to sit down and bring to bear whatever information I can 

bring so we can make thoughtful decisions about this area. 

I’ll just also offer, on a general note, it’s an exciting possibility 

that we will have an opportunity to work together in the future. 

Thank you for your generous comments. 

Senator COLEMAN. I am looking forward to that, Governor. 

One other area, again, where you have already shown leadership 

and knowledge, and that is in rural development. I will just raise 

the issue of too often we think that we have solved the problems 

of the American farmer by a farm bill. Yet, as you well know, there 

are infrastructure issues out there. You have magnificent folks, by 

the way, your rural development folks, the ones in Minnesota. 

Really quality people, folks around the country. You have that Red 

Leg Program, rural development loan and grant program—very 

critical, very key. 

Again, I know what you are bringing to the table here. I am excited about the opportunity of moving forward with you and just, 

again, want to thank you for what you have already done for the 

State and the Nation and for what I know you are going to do. I 

look forward to confirming, voting for you, and working with you. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator COLEMAN. Thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Coleman can be found in the 

appendix on page 74.] 

Senator ROBERTS [presiding]. Senator Salazar. 

Senator Salazar, welcome to the committee, and we welcome 

your period of questioning, sir. 

Senator SALAZAR. Thank you very much—I guess it is ‘‘Acting 

Chairman’’ Roberts. 

Senator ROBERTS. Well, you can just drop ‘‘Acting.’’ This is——

Senator SALAZAR. This is the real deal, huh? 

Senator ROBERTS. Well, this is a coup, is what it is. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator ROBERTS. I had—I better just be quiet after that one. 

Senator Salazar is recognized. 

STATEMENT OF HON. KEN SALAZAR, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

COLORADO 

Senator SALAZAR. Thank you very much, Senator. Members of 

the committee, Chairman Chambliss, Senator Roberts, and Senator 

Harkin, I very much look forward to working with all of you on this 

very, very important committee to my State and to this Nation. 

Governor Johanns, I very much look forward to working with you 

on an agenda for agriculture and for rural America. 

It is an important issue for me because I come from the fourthpoorest county in the United States of America and the poorest 

38

county in the State of Colorado, Conejos County, about 265 miles 

south of Denver, Colorado. I do believe that what we need to do is 

to engage in an agenda that revitalizes our rural communities. I do 

believe that this is something that transcends Republican and 

Democratic administrations. When we look at the high plains areas 

in eastern Colorado and the areas to the west of Lincoln, Nebraska, 

you and I and the members of this committee know exactly what 

we are talking about in terms of having a vibrant effort in this Nation that really attempts to revitalize our rural communities, that 

actually goes not only in support of agriculture, but beyond agriculture, with respect to diversifying our economies. 

Let me say that as attorney general for the State of Colorado for 

6 years, on my desk I had a sign that I am very proud of, and it 

is a sign that says ‘‘No farms, no food.’’ It is something that is important for us to remind our Nation about in terms of the importance of farmers. 

I have a series of questions, and Mr. Chairman, I will just submit those questions for the record. Many of those have already 

been asked. I also ask that my statement be accepted into the 

record. 

Senator ROBERTS. Without objection. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Salazar can be found in the 

appendix on page 76.] 

Senator SALAZAR. I do have a couple of questions that I just very 

quickly want you to comment on. One is your position on country 

of origin labeling and the requirements of the law, and where you 

intend to go with that. 

Second, Forest Service issues are incredibly important for Colorado and for many of us in the West. The water rights issues, it 

seems like I have been fighting the Federal Government forever on 

bypass flows and reserve rights. Tell me what your views are on 

Forest Service and water issues. 

Then—well, that is—and then I would ask if you could respond 

to the questions that I have asked in writing. 

Governor JOHANNS. I will be happy to respond to your written 

questions and will do so promptly. 

Let me, if I might, start with the Forestry Service, because of 

course that is a very huge issue in your State, and your State has 

suffered through some very, very difficult forest fires—not so much 

this year because the moisture was a little bit better, but certainly 

in the past few years. 

I will do everything I can to help in that regard. The Healthy 

Forests Initiative is out there, we have a team at the USDA that 

has worked on it aggressively. The Western Governors’ Association, 

which our State has been a member of, has been very active in that 

area and, as I was indicating, we recently got a report from the 

Western Governors’ Association with some recommendations and 

some suggestions as to how to continue this initiative. 

I might also add, Senator, that’s been a very bipartisan effort. 

Governor Richardson from New Mexico is involved, Governor 

Owens from Colorado, and others. Their effort has been in trying 

to do everything they can to produce a result that is good for forests. I promise you it will be a priority for me, and I will do everything I can to continue that effort. 

39

In regards to the water rights issue, I am aware of that. Our 

States have dealt with water rights issues on a State level. I understand the importance of that. The issue that you speak of, probably the best I can offer today is to say, look, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that stakeholders are involved in the discussion. It’s been raised by a couple of Senators, a couple of your 

colleagues, as I’ve made my way through the offices and talked to 

Senators, and I know it’s important. My goal here is to make sure 

that everybody is at the table as we deal with that and try to work 

through those issues. There was a memorandum of agreement that 

was entered into. I’m aware of that. I must admit today, I can’t 

give you the ‘‘what i’s were dotted and t’s were crossed’’ analysis, 

but I’m also aware that that’s out there. We’ll work with the stakeholders on that. 

Country of origin labeling. You know, the administration’s position has been one of a voluntary approach. As the secretary, I 

would adopt the administration’s position. I also recognize that the 

law has been passed. I want you to understand that if that’s the 

law, then that’s what I’ll be working with. That’s what I would 

offer on that issue. 

Thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. I take it from the nod of the head that the distinguished Senator from Colorado has finished his questions. 

Senator SALAZAR. Well, I see my time is up. 

Senator ROBERTS. In the Senate, that usually does not make any 

difference. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator SALAZAR. It is different from being in court, right? 

Senator ROBERTS. I stand in awe of your adherence to the time 

equation. 

The distinguished Senator from Minnesota, Senator Dayton, is 

recognized. 

Senator DAYTON. Mr. Chairman, my distinguished colleague soon 

will learn that normal human assumptions do not apply in the Senate. 

Mr. Secretary-designate, I join with the others in thanking you 

for undertaking this service. I might say that the standard of excellence that has been established in my 4 years here in Washington 

by former Nebraska Governors is one that you will do well to emulate, and I am sure you will. 

I might also echo what my colleague said about the educational 

strength of your family. I note that your wife Stephanie is also a 

graduate of a Minnesota college, St. Olaf, as well as yourself at St. 

Mary’s. We are glad to have had that chance, and we invite you 

both back to revisit your once-home many times. 

I also want to add my compliments to Secretary Veneman and 

wish her well in her future undertakings. 

As you noted, one of the advantages to a 5–minute round of questioning is that most of our questions last for about four and a half 

minutes, so you are off the hook. I will not go over some of the 

ground that has been covered here on the export issue. 

I just want to point out, however, for the record, that, increasing 

our agricultural exports is a—that is one where we do have the bipartisan acclaim and it is American apple pie. The real crux of 

40

these trade policies is how they cut both ways. I note that since 

NAFTA was passed, so over the last decade, the increase in agricultural imports into the United States is two and a half times 

greater than the increase in the value of our agricultural exports 

to the rest of the world. This is a two-sided balance sheet. 

That is why—while I applaud your efforts to open up the Japanese market, we need to consider how these swing both ways. In 

particular, if one of the objections to our meat is its impeccable 

standard—and I can understand why other countries take that approach—the consequences of our opening up our border to Canadian beef imports, and to test 160,000 cows and then run the risk 

of one or two imported animals causing, whether it is scientifically 

credible or not, this massive world scare that is going to close those 

doors to us further and give those countries excuses to continue 

their protectionist policy is a very ill-considered decision. I am glad 

that we are going to have a hearing on it, and I hope that will be 

in the very near future. 

I echo what my colleague from Minnesota said about the sugar 

situation, and we are once again faced with CAFTA, where we are 

opening our doors further to other countries to bring their products 

into our country, where, according to the information I have received from—it is actually a University of North Dakota study, that 

we already have basically saturated the markets in those Central 

American countries for our primary agricultural exports. Seventy to 

90 percent of their purchases are U.S. wheat and corn. The upside 

for us in agriculture is relatively limited and we are once again 

opening our domestic market and running the risk in northwestern 

Minnesota—Senator Coleman has been as involved in this as I 

have—of shutting down an entire industry, collapsing an entire regional economic cornerstone of several billion dollars. Again, very 

ill-advised and not well considered. 

I take heart in your comments in our meeting, and I appreciate 

that, that you are going to be a champion for U.S. agriculture at 

these trade negotiations, because we ought to be—I do not care 

whether it is free trade, fair trade, what you want to call it, I want 

it to be American trade. I want us to make our decisions in the best 

interests of our country and its people, and that is sometimes a 

complex consideration, but I do not think the ideological label matters a bit. It matters how does this benefit or how does it hurt our 

own people, especially, in this case, our farmers. 

I ask you for that close consideration, and particularly with Canada, where we have had problems with milk protein concentrate 

coming into our country and molasses as a substitute for sugar in 

violation of the spirit if not the letter of these agreements, and 

other trade policies. You know, we have to stand up for ourselves 

because no one else is going to do it for us. I welcome your leadership in that area. 

I would also ask just to go on the record regarding our discussion 

in my office about the milk income loss program that is going to 

expire. If you could repeat what—the President’s commitment 

there, I would appreciate it. 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, the President, when he was in Wisconsin, spoke to that issue and indicated he would work with ConVerDate 0ct 09 2002 13:01 Apr 18, 2005 Jkt 097781 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 C:\DOCS\97781.TXT TOSHD PsN: TOSH
41

gress on the reauthorization of that program. Let me assure you, 

I will likewise. 

Senator DAYTON. Thank you. Also, I would like to, in my brief 

time remaining—and I hope we will also—I am going to ask the 

chairman to hold a hearing in the very near future on these 

biofuels. I commend you for your leadership on the Governor’s 

level. We all look forward to working with you. Senator Coleman 

set up a task force regarding that. It is of vital importance to Minnesota, and I hope we can really push that. We give a lot of lip 

service to it. We don’t have the Federal and, in many States, the 

action to back that up. I look forward to pursuing that with you 

later. 

One question I would like to just add in my remaining time, the 

President in Minnesota recently announced his support for the 

Conservation Reserve Program, which has over 30,000 Minnesota 

farms enrolled. I would like to hear your views on that. Again, we 

can carry that forward later, but I would ask you if you will be implementing the President’s directive to make available new contracts to the soon-to-expire contract holders. 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, if it is a Presidential directive, let there 

be no doubt. 

Senator DAYTON. Well, that is my paraphrase, my staff’s paraphrasing of that. I do not want to speak for the President. 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes, I don’t either. 

Senator DAYTON. We take everything he says in Minnesota as 

gospel. Wisconsin, we are not so sure sometimes, but Minnesota, 

for sure. 

Governor JOHANNS. I can just offer you my experience. As Governor, I was very supportive of the conservation programs. Now, 

again, we all recognize that there are some issues here, and I will 

do everything I can to work with the administration and this committee. You would not have to look very far to find quite a few positive statements about the conservation programs during my tenure 

as Governor of Nebraska. 

Senator DAYTON. Well, I wish you well. I look forward to working 

with you. Thank you for your commitment to our country. 

Governor JOHANNS. OK, thank you, sir. 

Senator DAYTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Senator ROBERTS. The champion of specialty crops and cherries 

and the Senator from Michigan is now recognized, Senator 

Stabenow. 

STATEMENT OF HON. DEBBIE STABENOW, A U.S. SENATOR 

FROM MICHIGAN 

Senator STABENOW. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am so pleased 

that you were listening as I was speaking about specialty crops. 

Welcome, Secretary-designate Johanns. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator STABENOW. We have as well spoken about that. I want 

to add my words of thanks to Secretary Veneman and for the working relationship that I had with her, and wish her well. For our 

former chairman, Chairman Cochran, and our ranking member, 

Senator Harkin, who worked together in a very bipartisan way, as 

we have all said. Agriculture is not a partisan issue. It may be 

42

State by State in terms of different regional issues, but we all come 

together very strongly wanting to make sure that the right thing 

is done for our farmers and for all of us as consumers of these important products, and businesses as well. 

I congratulate our new chairman. 

There are so many issues in Michigan. I had mentioned to you, 

Governor Johanns, that next to California, Michigan has more 

crops than any other States—49 different crops. I could speak 

about any of the issues that we have talked about this morning 

and it would have relevance to Michigan. 

What I would like to do is speak about and ask your consideration and leadership on things that we have not focused on that 

are particular to Michigan and other States, that have not been addressed today. I was very pleased to hear your emphasis on infectious disease, which is a critical issue for us in Michigan as well 

as farmers across the country. I am very interested in your beetle 

center that you spoke about with plant science, and also would welcome and invite you to come to Michigan State University, my 

alma mater, that has a very important national food safety center 

and is really a leader in research on so many of these issues. We 

would welcome the opportunity to show you the important work 

that is being done there as well. Growing up in a small town in 

northern Michigan in a farming community, we rely very heavily 

on cooperative extension in Michigan State and are very proud of 

the efforts going on in Michigan. 

This morning the State of Michigan announced the first known 

case of human bovine TB in Michigan in many, many years. Now, 

this is not an immediate concern in the sense that it will spread. 

We do not believe that this is an immediate crisis for people. This 

was a hunter who was in fact dressing a deer, cut himself, but was 

in fact infected by a deer that clearly had been showing physical 

signs of bovine TB. This is a very important issue to Michigan. I 

know in seeing former Chairman Combest from Texas, this is an 

issue for them as well. We have very serious needs, communities 

that have lost millions of dollars, issues for our farmers in terms 

of eradication and testing, and now this new human dimension. 

I first would ask for your commitment to work with me on issues 

that relate to partnering with the State, in terms of financial commitment, to help our farmers and to help the State with additional 

testing requirements that are critical now—have been critical—as 

well as other issues. I have asked this last year, we submitted a 

request for $5 million to assist farmers and that was not successful. We will be asking again. It is even more relevant now as a result of this individual who was found to have TB. 

I raise that with you. I am going to continue on, just only because of my limited time. 

Governor JOHANNS. Please do. 

Senator STABENOW. I want to make sure I raise two other issues. 

That is one. There are a number of issues of infectious disease that 

address us in Michigan, of specialty crops as well as bovine TB as 

well as a number of issues. 

Invasive species I have also talked with you about. Emerald ash 

borer, which has already killed 8 million trees-plus in Michigan, 

ash trees. A critical issue. That is why I am interested in your beeVerDate 0ct 09 2002 13:01 Apr 18, 2005 Jkt 097781 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 C:\DOCS\97781.TXT TOSHD PsN: TOSH
43

tle center, because we are seeing now a new Asian-type beetle coming in. We have some real challenges that need to happen. I am 

very interested in working with you as it relates to APHIS. I know 

that was moved to Homeland Security. There have been a lot of 

questions about that, whether or not the focus is there, whether or 

not it really is appropriate to be there. I would appreciate a followup from you about what is happening with APHIS, what is happening with inspections, and how you will work with us to beef 

that up, because this is very, very serious. 

The final thing I will mention, as my colleague and chairman for 

the day has indicated, specialty crops, fruits and vegetables are 

critical to Michigan and many other States. In fact Senator Gordon 

Smith and I chair a fruits and vegetables caucus, and Senator 

Larry Craig and I are working on specialty crop legislation. In the 

Farm bill there is very little that is helpful to fruit and vegetable 

growers. The Section 32 that deals with commodity purchases is 

one area where we had a victory in the Farm bill, but it is not 

being implemented by the Department, to add an additional $200 

million a year for commodity purchases that are critical. I am going 

to be looking forward to working with you to address that provision 

of the Farm bill. 

The other provision deals with the Tree Assistance Program, 

which again, it seems like we move forward, we made progress in 

the Farm bill, and then it is not implemented. It is implemented 

differently than it is for other commodities. Our Tree Assistance 

Program is critical for orchards. This is their capital. When we 

have a drought, when we have the floods, when we have other 

weather situations that destroy the orchards, they are destroying 

the industry for people. In the Farm bill we had put in a maximum 

compensation of $75,000 in tree losses per year for our specialty 

crop growers. This is being interpreted as $75,000 in loss for the 

life of the Farm bill. In every other commodity, in fact, these are 

annual losses, annual bases and limits. In the Tree Assistance Program, it was put in as over the life of the Farm bill. This is very 

serious for apple growers and peach growers and cherry growers. 

I could go on and on. I am looking forward to following up with you 

on those issues. 

I have run out of time, but I would welcome any brief comment 

from you on any of these issues. Know that those of us who represent large numbers of fruits and vegetable growers are very serious about working with you to correct interpretations in the Farm 

bill that have not been what we believe we successfully wrote into 

the Farm bill. On these other issues, on invasive species and issues 

that relate to disease, these are critical for so many of our farmers. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Stabenow can be found in 

the appendix on page 78.] 

Senator DAYTON. Mr. Chairman, I am sorry, but I have to leave. 

I am told I am the quorum. If we are going to——

Senator ROBERTS. If I might respond. If everybody can stay put, 

we are trying to get in touch with the new chairman with the 

thought—the suggestion by Senator Harkin that we could actually 

vote this today and leave the vote open until 5 o’clock. Obviously, 

if I could, I would vote proxies. We do not have those proxies and 

the members were not aware that we could have a vote. If we do 

44

not have a vote today, it would be delayed until January 20. I see 

no reason for delay. The nominee has unqualified support on a bipartisan basis. If members would have patience and listen to the 

distinguished former chairman from Vermont, I would appreciate 

it. 

We are into a second round, which we now call the Baucus 

Round. If we have a little patience, we are trying to get ahold of 

Chairman-designate Chambliss. If he agrees, we will go ahead and 

then hold the vote open until 5 o’clock, and we can get this done. 

We do need a quorum, and we have a quorum now. 

Senator HARKIN. Mr. Chairman. 

Senator ROBERTS. The Senator is recognized. 

Senator HARKIN. To all the members on our side, if for some reason you have to leave, if you could give a proxy on this to your staff 

so that we would have it in hand, I would sure appreciate it. 

Senator ROBERTS. How many do we need? 

The distinguished Senator from Vermont and the former chairman, Senator Leahy. 

STATEMENT OF HON. PATRICK LEAHY, A U.S. SENATOR FROM 

VERMONT 

Senator LEAHY. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. I will be 

brief, not to hold this up. We are holding confirmation hearings at 

the same time. Judge Gonzales is over in the Judiciary Committee, 

where I have been spending most of the day and I am going back 

to. 

He is probably not—the issues being raised with Judge Gonzales 

are somewhat different than the issues being raised with you. The 

unanimity of opinion is probably not the same in that hearing. 

I appreciated our chat we had on the phone, Governor, and my 

experience as former chairman of this, Senator Roberts’s experience, a former chairman in the other body, Senator Harkin, and 

others, there are occasions in the Agriculture Committee where we 

actually ask parochial questions, not just national policy. If I 

might. 

Our State, in agriculture, has a lot of dairy, as I mentioned to 

you. I mentioned to you when we chatted on the phone that your 

growing up on a dairy farm in Iowa, that is more than just a job; 

it is a way of life. It is very hard way of life, but it is remarkable 

and is very helpful to us in different parts of the country. I heard 

your answer to the question of, I believe, Senator Dayton about you 

want to fulfill the President’s commitment to extend the milk program before it expires in December, the Milk Income Loss Contract 

Program. Does the administration’s budget contain this kind of an 

extension? 

Governor JOHANNS. Senator, I have had no briefing whatsoever 

on the administration budget, so I just can’t offer anything that 

would help us there. I do know what his statement was in Wisconsin, I have committed to that statement, so that is about what 

I can offer. 

Senator LEAHY. Well, I was told at the time by the White House 

that they are committed to that. I would hope that, now that the 

election is over, the commitment, I would assume, will continue. I 

would have much preferred to reinstate the Northeast Dairy ComVerDate 0ct 09 2002 13:01 Apr 18, 2005 Jkt 097781 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 C:\DOCS\97781.TXT TOSHD PsN: TOSH
45

pact, which does not cost the taxpayers anything. I do know the administration opposes that, so it perhaps will not happen. Or I look 

at something like the 2002 Farm bill, and I know the former chairman of the House committee, Mr. Combest, is here in the audience. 

He did a tremendous amount in helping put that together, brought 

Republicans and Democrats together from different parts of the 

country, and the milk program has had thousands of dairy producers, especially during the historically low prices we have seen 

in recent years. 

I hope it will be extended. I have worked a great deal on environmental issues, as have others on this committee. As a former farmer, you understand that many times the first environmentalist in 

a community is the farmer. I hope we can continue to work on 

those. 

Mr. Chairman, I will put any other questions or matters in the 

record and I will leave my proxy with Senator Harkin. 

[The prepared statement of Senator Leahy can be found in the 

appendix on page 81.] 

Senator ROBERTS. If the Senator could——

Senator LEAHY. Where do you want it to be? 

Senator ROBERTS. I am not going to go there. If the Senator could 

stay to maintain a quorum of 11, there is a possibility that, if we 

can reach Senator Chambliss, that we could actually vote on the 

nomination as of today. That is why I am urging members—I know 

we have a joint session at 1, I know members have other duties. 

If we do not, it would be January 20. I know of no opposition to 

this nominee. 

If we can somehow have one member and then have the vote 

simply held open until 5 so members can vote, either by proxy or 

by designation, that would be the whole——

Senator LEAHY. Mr. Chairman. 

Senator ROBERTS. I said there was going to be a coup. I guess 

this is what we are doing. 

Senator LEAHY. We may have a vote on the floor this afternoon. 

If we did, we could always meet off the floor. 

Senator ROBERTS. Yes, that is a possibility. I do not know 

what——

Senator STABENOW. Mr. Chairman. 

Senator LEAHY. I know you are working hard on this, but Chairman Chambliss could——

Senator STABENOW. Mr. Chairman, I would just interject and 

support Senator Leahy’s request that we do this as we are on the 

floor this afternoon. Unfortunately, I am going to have to leave. I 

am very supportive of our secretary-designee, and——

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. Is the Bing Cherry Caucus meeting? 

Senator STABENOW. Yes, the Cherries Apples Blueberries Asparagus—yes. 

Senator ROBERTS. I am sorry I asked. Go ahead. 

Senator STABENOW. I certainly have remained as long as I can, 

but I am going to have to——

Senator LEAHY. We do have eight Democrats here. We are trying 

to help you, Mr. Chairman. 

[Laughter.] 

46

Senator ROBERTS. It is the first time I have really enjoyed this 

ratio, I can tell you that. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator LEAHY. Maybe if one or two Republicans could drop by, 

too, we could get the President’s nominee out of here. I intend to 

support him. 

Senator ROBERTS. Well, we are trying. I know you would say we 

have been very trying. We are trying the best we can. 

Senator LEAHY. You were not here with former Senator Howell 

Heflin, but he used to say ‘‘Sound the pachyderm horns.’’

Senator ROBERTS. Now we have 11. Do you want to do it? 

Senator STABENOW. Yes, that is fine. 

Senator ROBERTS. We have 11. 

Senator LEAHY. I knew if I talked long enough we would get another Republican. As soon as they heard I was speaking, they 

found another Republican to show up. 

Senator ROBERTS. I ask unanimous consent that, since there is 

a quorum of the Agriculture Committee, being 11, that we move 

now, prior to the second round of questions, on a vote in favor of 

the nominee and that this vote be held open until 5 o’clock so that 

all members can register their vote. You know, obviously the nominee could be passed by proxy, but quite frankly, we did not expect 

a vote. I am very hopeful of hearing from Senator-designate and 

Chairman-designate Chambliss. 

All those in favor of the nominee will signify by saying aye. 

Senator HARKIN. Mr. Chairman. 

Senator ROBERTS. We need a roll call. 

Senator HARKIN. No, no, no. I want to make one thing clear on 

the unanimous consent, that we are also waiving the 1–day holdover requirement. 

Senator ROBERTS. That is correct. If somebody will ask for a roll 

call vote, I would be happy to acknowledge. 

Senator HARKIN. I ask for a roll call vote. 

Senator ROBERTS. The clerk will call the roll. 

The Clerk. Senator Harkin. 

Senator HARKIN. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Leahy. 

Senator LEAHY. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Conrad. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator Baucus. 

Senator BAUCUS. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Lincoln. 

Senator LINCOLN. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Stabenow. 

Senator STABENOW. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Nelson. 

Senator NELSON. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Dayton. 

Senator DAYTON. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Salazar. 

Senator SALAZAR. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Lugar. 

[No response.] 

47

The Clerk. Senator Chairman. Senator Cochran. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator McConnell. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator Roberts. 

Senator ROBERTS. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Talent. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator Thomas. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator Santorum. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator Coleman. 

Senator COLEMAN. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Crapo. 

Senator CRAPO. Aye. 

The Clerk. Senator Grassley. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. Senator Chambliss. 

[No response.] 

The Clerk. There are 11 ayes, sir. 

Senator ROBERTS. We will hold this vote open, as designated during the UC request, until 5 o’clock. I thank all members, and we 

will now proceed with the second round of questioning. It will be 

Senator Baucus—I am sorry. We will go by—I do not know whether or not we had by order of appearance, and I do not know who 

rates in terms of order of appearance, but I at least know that I 

should recognize the distinguished ranking member. 

Senator HARKIN. Well, Mr. Chairman, I thank you very much. I 

covered most of the things I wanted to with our secretary-designee. 

I am glad that we got the 11 here, and hopefully we can—if we 

have a session on the floor this afternoon, as I understand we may 

on the Senate floor, and we have a vote, voice or not, if we get the 

people on the committee to get their staffs to get them to vote on 

this even before 5, it is possible that we could actually get this 

through the Senate today, and then get the President to get you 

in there as soon as possible. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator HARKIN. Hopefully, this will happen. 

Is only one other thing I just wanted to cover very briefly with 

you, Governor, and that is in terms of a capital investment in rural 

areas. I mentioned I am from a small town. We tend to think of 

‘‘agriculture,’’ we think of our farms, our ranchers. Without our 

small towns and communities, they cannot exist. We have to have 

another economic structure out there in our small towns. That is 

why we worked hard to put in the broadband access into the Farm 

bill. There is money in there—I mentioned that earlier; I am not 

going to go over that again—broadband access, the value-added 

parts of it, that type of thing. 

One of the things that has been woefully inadequate in rural 

America and small towns and communities is venture capital. Venture capital always goes to bigger places. Now, it came to my attention some time ago that there are some entities springing up in different places. I know a couple out of Chicago, and there may be 

48

others that I am not aware of, obviously, in which they are putting 

together venture capital funds basically to try to get into rural 

areas. Well, we put in the Farm bill a Rural Business Investment 

Program, RBIP, created in there to provide venture capital for 

small towns and communities. We provided mandatory funds—

mandatory funds—for a rural business investment program to meet 

the need of venture capital and development of businesses in small 

towns. 

The interim rule that was developed has a number of problems 

which really hurt the effectiveness of the program. For example, 

the rule includes a variety of fees that could amount to over $1.6 

million in expenses placed upon the rural business investment company. Now, again, the Farm bill provided mandatory funding so 

that we would not have to have these type of fees for small towns 

and communities. If you are sending up what we call an RBIC, a 

Rural—and this is modeled after the small business investment 

corporations, which I am sure you are aware of in Nebraska also. 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. 

Senator HARKIN. This is different. We put the mandatory funding 

in there for that purpose. There are some other parts of the rule 

that have other weaknesses. I guess my—the only thing is, I hope 

you will look at that. 

Governor JOHANNS. I’ll take a look. 

Senator HARKIN. Take a look at that interim rule. See how we 

can work together to better revise it to get the mandatory money 

out to get this rural business investment thing going. 

Oh. 

Senator ROBERTS. Are you OK there? 

Senator HARKIN. I am sorry. I just got a note here to say that 

Hilda Legg, who is the Rural Utilities Service administrator, just 

announced her retirement. I am sorry to hear that. She was a great 

appointment, she did a great job facing great difficulties. She 

worked great with this committee. I am just sorry that you will 

only have her assistance for a few days after your confirmation. I 

hope that you will talk with Ms. Legg about what is needed regarding the rural utilities services before she leaves. She has a great 

deal of knowledge and expertise in this area, and I am concerned, 

as we continue ahead on this, that you will really ask for her input 

before she leaves. I was just given that note. I hope this is correct—I do not want to announce—I am not announcing something, 

I was just saddened and surprised to hear that she is leaving. 

Please talk to her before she leaves. She is very good. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. I will, Senator. 

Senator HARKIN. Thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. The distinguished Senator from Montana is 

recognized. 

Senator BAUCUS. Governor, I am very happy, as all of us on the 

committee are, and a lot of people listening, that you are so aggressive in pushing U.S. exports, agriculture products overseas. As you 

well know, it is a huge effort on our behalf. It must be in some respects because for other countries, trade, on a comparative basis, 

is even more important than it is in the United States. There are 

other countries—and it is always interesting to me when I visit 

other countries and raise the question of trade and so forth, how 

49

much they know about the United States agriculture trade; how 

much they know about our country, because trade is their life blood 

even more than it is ours in most of these countries, frankly. That 

is because we are such a large country, somewhat self-sufficient in 

so many areas. Many countries are not. 

That means that when it comes to working out agreements with 

these countries, we have to work even harder, more creative than 

we otherwise think we might have to be. 

I might focus on one area of the world, and that is Cuba. As you 

well know, we export about $700 million of agriculture products to 

Cuba in the last several years. As you also know, the Congress 

passed legislation in 2000, which emphasized our congressional desire, signed by the President, to export agriculture products to 

Cuba. 

My State of Montana, we have exported $25 million worth in the 

last—actually, we signed an agreement for $10 million about a year 

ago, and $15 million just a short while ago. Most of the $15 million 

is already been executed. That is about $25 million to Cuba. 

I am asking you to continue to, according to the spirit of that legislation, to aggressively help American companies—farmers—export their agriculture products to Cuba. There are some within the 

Administration who would like to go in the other direction. 

I am asking you, will you commit to—I am not asking you to lift 

the embargo——

Governor JOHANNS. Right. 

Senator BAUCUS. The travel ban. I am just asking you to restrict 

nibbling efforts in the Administration that will tend to restrict that 

trade to Cuba. 

I say that, in part, because the first time, we almost have a deficit in agriculture trade. We enjoyed a huge surplus, but that has 

been shrinking significantly, and this is one bright spot where we 

can export ag products to Cuba. Can you make that commitment? 

Governor JOHANNS. Senator, let me just again say what I said in 

your office yesterday. I will support the Administration’s policies on 

Cuba, and, as you point out, we do export to Cuba. 

Senator BAUCUS. You know the legislation that was passed? 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. I know——

Senator BAUCUS. I urge you—frankly, I encourage you to read it. 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. 

Senator BAUCUS. Because I did just not too long ago, maybe a 

couple of weeks ago. It is interesting how it is very clearly and affirmative U.S. policy on a cash basis, to ship agriculture products 

to Cuba. 

Governor JOHANNS. Yes. I will promise you I will read the legislation very, very carefully, and if confirmed by the U.S. Senate as 

Secretary of Agriculture, I will support the Administration’s policies on Cuba. The President has spoken very forcefully in this area. 

Senator BAUCUS. I might say it is unclear what the Administration’s policy precisely is. 

Governor JOHANNS. OK. 

Senator BAUCUS. There is a lot of wiggle room there. I do not 

know if the Administration—the President himself is personally focused on efforts by, say, OFAC, in the Treasury Department, to 

50

propose financing regulation changes which have the effect of choking off ag trade. There is potentially a lot of discretion there. 

I am asking you as Ag Secretary, to fight to keep that from being 

choked off with the letter of the law. You can have some discretion 

there. I am sure the President of the United States does not decide 

every single issue like this. He does not have time. He cannot. It 

is an impossibility. You have a lot of discretion. 

I am asking you, will you personally commit? Is it your personal 

view to restrict, to resist efforts to choke off. 

Governor JOHANNS. I will do everything I can within the Administration policy, and, Senator, that’s just as direct as I possibly can 

answer. 

Senator BAUCUS. Well, I urge you to go as far as you possibly 

can, because it is very important. Some of us have been to Cuba 

recently. When you are in Cuba—I have to be honest—you wonder 

what planet you are on, given current U.S. policy with respect to 

Cuba. It is astoundingly off in some other world. I am not going 

to argue that. I am not going to argue that point today. I am just 

going to say we do have a law, and I would like to see the travel 

ban repealed, the embargo repealed, but that is not what we are 

discussing here today. We are only discussing the narrow confines 

of that statute, that here in 2000, which was passed and signed by 

the President. 

I am asking you to uphold to that statute as vigorously as you 

can. 

Governor JOHANNS. I will always uphold the law, as I indicated 

to you. 

Senator BAUCUS. Sorry. My time is expiring, so I have one quick 

other point I want to make to you, and that is the tremendous 

problems this country is going to be facing in the next several 

years with respect to the Farm bill, DOHA round, Brazil, a WTO 

case, for example, and we have huge problems facing us. Budget 

deficits. Federal fiscal budget deficits. There is a much larger now 

than when the last Farm bill was passed—the current Farm bill 

was passed. As you well know, it is in our interest as Americans 

to try to get this DOHA Round passed as quickly as we possibly 

can; in a way, of course, that is favorable to the United States; at 

least not unfavorable to the United States. 

In the meantime, the Farm bill might expire by 2006 or 2007. 

I do not know if the DOHA Round is going to be completed by then. 

Then there is the Brazil sugar case, which is directed only at sugar 

in the United States, but also is to upset the United States’ efforts 

in the Round. 

Could you just give us a very short sense of how you attempt to 

navigate that very difficult terrain? 

Governor JOHANNS. Well, you’ve laid out the issues. Everything 

is coming together, almost all at once. What the exact timing will 

be is a little bit up in the air. 

I can tell you, without any hesitation, that I will be personally 

involved in the DOHA Round. Of course, a lot has happened up to 

this point, but I see such a critical role for agriculture here that 

I’ve already indicated that I want to be there. I want to be at the 

table. I want to be advocating for agriculture and making sure that 

our voice is heard. 

51

I will also give you this assurance, Senator. I’ll work with you 

and the members of this committee and Senate and House on their 

issues and concerns relative to the DOHA Round. 

Your other observation is correct: this probably will come together at about the time that the Senate and the House are talking 

about the reauthorization of the Farm bill. Potentially, it has a significant impact on that. 

My crystal ball is probably not any better than anyone else’s , 

but certainly all of these things are heading toward a point here, 

and they could all have an impact. My goal with the DOHA negotiations, is to make sure that agriculture is front and center; that 

it not only has a place at the table, but that we’re considered as 

those discussions proceed. Whatever input and advice you could 

give me on that will sincerely be welcomed. 

Senator BAUCUS. Well, I deeply appreciate that, because I know 

I can speak for all of us, we want to work with you, because this 

is an American issue. We are all together here. We are on the same 

team. 

Governor JOHANNS. Terribly important. 

Senator BAUCUS. It is going to take an awful lot of work and a 

lot of teamwork with the Congress and the Administration to get 

the best possible result. Final issue, I am not going to take any 

time on this country of origin labeling. This is very important to 

my people in Montana. I am very disturbed frankly that the Administration has resisted the legislation that we passed for mandatory country of origin labeling. 

I know there are riders on appropriations bills and so forth that 

have delayed. I certainly did not agree with them. My people in 

Montana certainly did not agree with them. It is like every day 

practically we see all these products—turn it over. Made in China. 

There is so much country of origin labeling on other products in 

this country. I believe in the interest of American consumers, as 

well as the American producers, it is the right thing to do. All 

these smokescreens that the packers and the grocery chains throw 

up are just that. They are just smokescreens. We can figure out a 

way to get this done in a way that is right. The right way is a—

a fair way to have country of origin labeling so our consumers and 

our producers both know. 

Governor JOHANNS. OK. 

Senator BAUCUS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize. 

The CHAIRMAN. No problem. 

Senator ROBERTS. No apologies needed, and I——

Senator BAUCUS. I am just showing the new Senator from Colorado our new rule. 

Senator ROBERTS. The challenge in regards to Cuba does not lie 

with the Department of Agriculture so much as the Department of 

State, and, as the gentleman is aware, we have some legislative endeavors in the wings to hopefully achieve some progress in that regard. I look forward to working with him in that——

Senator BAUCUS. Thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. In that respect. The distinguished Senator 

from Arkansas. 

Senator LINCOLN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Once again, I get 

to call you Mr. Chairman. 

52

You finally let me on the Ag committee. I am sorry. 

The CHAIRMAN. I tried a long time ago. I tried a long time ago. 

Senator LINCOLN. I know it was a long time ago. 

The CHAIRMAN. It was like pushing a rope, but, by golly, we got 

you on. 

Senator LINCOLN. Governor, I just have a few additional questions, particularly about the issue Senator Baucus brought up in 

terms of the trade to Cuba, which we authorized the sale of agricultural products through the Congress in 2000. 

I noticed you did say that you would support the Administration’s policy, and I suppose our concern is if the Administration’s 

policy were to change, particularly through the Department of the 

Treasury and others, the actions that would occur and what it 

might cost us in terms of the export market that we have been able 

to gain there. 

If the Administration does make those changes, and it results in 

reduced agricultural exports, I particularly would like to know 

what actions you in the Administration would take to compensate 

producers for the income losses that are associated with those lost 

sales. 

That is important for us to know. If, in fact, the Administration 

is going to take action that does have a negative effect on export 

markets and our producers, it is going to be important to know 

what the compensation would be. 

Governor JOHANNS. Senator, I quite honestly have thought about 

a lot of questions I might be asked at this hearing, and that was 

one that quite honestly I haven’t given any thought or consideration to. That might be one where, if you don’t mind, I’d like to 

have an opportunity to think through your question and accept 

that one as a question that I can respond to in writing. I’d just feel 

much more comfortable if that’s okay with you. 

Senator LINCOLN. Absolutely. I just think it is important for that 

point to be made, just as I mentioned one of Arkansas’ corporate 

citizens has taken action because of closed export markets and 

what it has done. It is important for us to realize that for our producers, our jobs in this country, there is a real impact that happens 

when those decisions are made. It is important for us to understand that as a government and as an Administration, we have to 

be able to respond to that. 

The last thing I would like to bring up and I notice Chairman 

Larry Combest out there as well, he was wonderful to work with 

in a very bipartisan way, and in a regional way, and I want to compliment him on the great work that he has done; and I am glad 

to see him. 

One of the things that I would like to make sure we have is an 

assurance from you, as Secretary of Agriculture, that you will protect the very diverse support structure that is embodied in the current Farm bill. As many have mentioned, it is not as much partisan in the Ag committee as it is regional. We have worked very 

hard to make sure that all of the regions are respected. The crops 

that they grow, the way that they function, particularly in regard 

to foreign markets. It is important that that diversity and that understanding be maintained. I hope we have your support and your 

commitment to that diversity of that support structure. 

53

Governor JOHANNS. I advocated for the Farm bill as a Governor, 

as I’ve mentioned I was the lead Western Governor and lead Midwestern Governor. I feel very comfortable with the Farm bill that 

was passed. 

The one qualifier that I have to put in here, Senator, is there’s 

a piece of this that’s very important, that we’re all going to have 

to focus on, and that’s budget issues. I don’t know what those 

issues are today. I have not gotten any inside information and 

didn’t request any inside information. Somewhere out there I suspect we’ll have additional discussions on what often times are the 

toughest pieces of our jobs. I’ve certainly been through it the last 

couple of years, and I’d share with you in the 20 years I’ve been 

in public service, I noticed I was a lot more popular when I had 

money than when I didn’t. 

I guess what I’d offer to you is this: I do have comfort with the 

Farm bill, and worked hard from our Governors’ standpoint to get 

a farm bill like this passed. I’ll do everything I can to advocate for 

agriculture, and I’ll also recognize that somewhere out there, there 

will be a budget. You would think less of me if I was in here not 

supporting the budget. I fully intend to support the budget. 

Senator LINCOLN. Well, as long as the budget is fair, and one of 

the things we try to impress upon you is that you will actually be 

the one defending us and fighting on behalf of the things that we 

are trying to promote, which we have all talked about here today. 

I, like Senator Salazar, grew up in one of the poorest counties in 

the country. Whether it is rural development, whether it is conservation programs, as Senator Cochran mentioned, which are critical, whether it is again the fact that we all grow different crops, 

our economies of scale are different, our crops are different, because we live in different regions of the country, and in many instances, we are going to ask you to step into that battle on our behalf with the Administration and the budget folks to really say this 

is a critical part of what our country and our heritage is all about. 

I look forward to working with you——

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. 

Senator LINCOLN. Those diversities and those differences are 

what make us strong in this country and particularly from an agricultural standpoint. Thank you. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Governor JOHANNS. Senator, thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. I thank the Senator for her comments. All 

Senators should know and staff representing the Senators should 

tell Senators that any written questions for the Governor need to 

be submitted to the committee by 3 p.m., as of tomorrow. The distinguished Senator from Nebraska is recognized. 

Senator NELSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It looks like I might 

get the last question, but, with you as Chairman, I know I will not 

get the last word. 

Governor, I am encouraged by your comment about putting agricultural trade front and center, because so very often it has been 

an afterthought, a sidebar agreement, not part of the basis trade 

agreements that have been negotiated. I am very encouraged by 

that. 

54

As part of the fight against trade protectionism, you have heard 

so many comments about Japan and other Asian markets as well 

that are currently not admitting exports, particularly of beef, to 

their markets—closing out those markets. You have heard about 

Canada. 

The one market that is continuing to be a problem that will be 

a challenge is the European market. The trade barriers there seem 

to be on the basis of genetically modified organisms. Any particular 

reason to not to permit our markets to export into their markets. 

I hope that that will be another area for you to put front and 

center, because we need to be sure that we are able to trade or this 

imbalance of trade that is now extending to agriculture is only 

going to get worse. Exports have to be part of the trade agreements. All too often, the trade agreements appear to represent and 

resemble more import agreements than they are export agreements. 

I know that is high on your list of priorities, and I want you to 

know that we will continue to work with you every way that we 

can, and should it become important to have a hearing on this as 

it relates to some of these markets, I know that you would be available to come and testify as to what your experience is once you 

have had this job. 

Governor JOHANNS. You know I would be glad to, Senator, and 

I appreciate your comments. It’s another area I bring something to 

the table. The Midwest Governors’ Association asked me to go over 

and meet with European Union officials on these issues. There’s 

(labeling, which, of course, is connected to this whole issue of biotechnology) so much more that needs to be done over there concerning labeling and it’s good that you highlight that. It’s on my 

mind. I’ll do everything I can to push that agenda. 

Senator NELSON. Well, thank you, and congratulations in advance, and good luck. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you, Senator. 

Senator NELSON. Thank you. 

Governor JOHANNS. I appreciate it. I look forward to working 

with you. 

Senator NELSON. Thank you. 

Senator ROBERTS. We thank you, Senator. Before we adjourn, I 

would like to submit for the record a number of letters, all of which 

strongly endorse the nominee. These endorsements include the 

Western Governors’ Association, the Renewable Fuels Association—

they meet every Wednesday morning and have a glass of ethanol 

with Chuck Grassley—the United Egg Producers, the National 

Corn Growers, the Governor of Hawaii, the National Milk Producers, the International Dairy Foods Association, and a coalition 

of major sporting and conservation groups, and pending the game 

next year Kansas State University. 

[The letters can be found in the appendix on page 112.] 

Senator ROBERTS. Governor, you have been very patient, and we 

have one more question or comment by the distinguished Ranking 

Member. 

Senator HARKIN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a little housekeeping matter. I thank you for moving the nominee rapidly and 

getting the quorum here so we can hopefully get this done today. 

55

It has come to my attention that there were some Senators who 

were unable to be here today or who had follow-up written questions. 

Despite the committee’s action today and possibly the Senate action today in confirming you, Governor, would you again commit to 

answering any written questions that would come from any member of this committee regarding your nomination, despite the fact 

that you may already be Secretary of Agriculture? 

Governor JOHANNS. Oh, absolutely, Senator. Of course, and I’ll do 

it diligently. 

Senator HARKIN. All right. I appreciate that. Thank you. 

Governor JOHANNS. You bet. 

Senator ROBERTS. Governor, you have been very patient. You 

have given an excellent statement. You have the support of this 

committee. Thank you very much for coming, and godspeed. 

Governor JOHANNS. Thank you. It’s been a honor. 

[The prepared statement of Governor Johanns can be found in 

the appendix on page 62.] 

Senator ROBERTS. The hearing is adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 1:04 p.m., the committee was adjourned.] 

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A P P E N D I X

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