11/07/08 What's up first for the new Congress?

The 111th Congress has more Democrats in both the House and Senate than the Congress now entering a lame duck session. There are going to be changes starting in January but some things remain the same like the leadership in both chambers, including the chairmen of the House and Senate agriculture committees. What will be different is the Secretary of Agriculture and names like Texas Congressman Charlie Stenholm and the National Farmers Union President Tom Buis are two being mentioned as possible successors to Ed Schafer. Once Congress reorganizes, sets committee assignments and takes care of housekeeping issues they'll have to deal with the economy says American Farm Bureau's Mark Maslyn. MASLYN "Keep in mind the death tax goes into full repeal 2010 and then it comes back to life in 2011. I think they will try to keep the current law where it is." Maslyn says the new Congress and President Obama will also look at alternative energies and environmental concerns. MASLYN "I think energy will continue to be hot. It's important to agriculture and it's important to the economy in the country. Whether its climate change or whether it's clean water or air quality you're going to see a continued debate in that area as well as a more aggressive regulatory environment in the new administration." How much will Congress bite off in the first few months of the session? Many ag groups will be watching for an answer. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott