Perdue Receives Committee Assignments

Georgia State University political science lecturer Steve Anthony says Perdue’s spot on the Senate Agriculture Committee is good for Georgia because it’s the state’s largest industry.

“To be able to have a seat on that committee means that he has an initial voice and a more powerful voice for that industry,” Anthony said.

During the campaign, Perdue said he wanted to be on the Agriculture and Senate Armed Services committees, just like retiring Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss. While he will continue the decades-long tradition of having a Georgia lawmaker on the Senate Agriculture Committee, the latter appointment didn’t happen.

With Chambliss’ retirement and the ouster of some of the state’s highest ranking delegates in the House, Georgia lost a lot of seniority in Congress after the last election.

“That’s going to hurt,” Anthony says. “You don’t get as good committee assignments. And then the committees you’re on, you’re the freshman members, so you don’t have as powerful of a voice. You’re not an officer.”

However, Anthony says there is a bright spot for Georgia.

With republicans winning the Senate, soon-to-be Senior Sen. Johnny Isakson has been named to chair two committees, Veterans Affairs and Ethics.

Senate Republicans still have to ratify the appointments.  

Read Perdue’s prepared statement on his committee assignments below. 

“Georgia has a long tradition of representation on the Senate Agriculture Committee. I am humbled and honored to serve in this capacity. Agriculture is a strategic industry, not only for Georgia but for our nation, and I will work to keep it growing. I want to help Georgia’s farmers continue to produce and sell Georgia grown products and ensure that we remain an agricultural leader in the future.”

“Economic security is the foundation for a strong national security and smart foreign policy. I will work with my colleagues on the Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees to ensure that America is capable of protecting our freedoms here at home and supporting our allies around the world.”

“Our full blown fiscal crisis is what pulled me into the Senate. I will work every day to make a difference and fight for the future of our kids and grand kids,” said Perdue. “I will act with urgency on the Budget Committee to tackle our nation’s debt crisis. I look forward to bringing my business experience to the Senate to help advance commonsense solutions, reduce our dangerous level of debt, grow our economy, and balance the budget in Washington.”