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Committee Assignments

Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry has jurisdiction over issues important to Minnesota, including USDA's farm, conservation and rural development programs, food stamps and nutrition, and forestry policy. This year, the committee will be working to pass a new farm bill, and addressing other critical issues such as:

• A fair safety net and a permanent program of disaster assistance for farmers
• An extension of the sugar program with additional protections against imports of subsidized foreign sugar
• Continuation of support for dairy farmers
• Allowing farms to meet more of our nation’s energy needs
• Ensuring that the nutrition needs of our most vulnerable citizens are met
• Supporting the economic development of rural communities

Visit the committee’s website: agriculture.senate.gov

Environment and Public Works Committee

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has the responsibility of protecting the nation’s natural environment, including its air, water and wildlife. The Committee also has responsibility for legislation related to America’s critical transportation systems, flood protection, and public infrastructure that helps keep our citizens safe and our nation’s economy moving. This year, the committee has already started work on initiatives such as:

• Addressing global warming, one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our nation today.
• Strengthening the Clean Water Act
• Making our buildings and appliances more energy efficient
• Promoting green technologies
• Ensuring Rural Minnesota communities receive flood protection
• Helping conserve Minnesota lakes, rivers, forests and natural habitats

Visit the committee's website: epw.senate.gov

Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee

The Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has the responsibility for a wide range of issues important to businesses and consumers – overseeing everything from product safety to technology to transportation and the Coast Guard. Our work helps keep consumers safe, invests in our economy, and helps guide the future of our nation’s transportation systems. The Committee is working for businesses and consumers by:

• Helping raise the fuel economy standards on cars and trucks for the first time in over 30 years – a move that will save Americans thousands of dollars.
• Ensuring that products made around the world meet US safety standards
• Protecting Americans from anti-competitive business practices
• Investing in research and development that will create new industries and jobs

Visit the committee’s website: commerce.senate.gov

Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction includes issues such as criminal justice, consumer issues, terrorism, and antitrust law. The Committee is also tasked with reviewing the President's nominees for federal judgeships, including Supreme Court justices; and providing oversight of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The committee is addressing such issues as:

• Ensuring that law enforcement has the tools they need to keep our streets safe
• Ensuring equal justice for all Americans
• Promoting consumer rights and fairness
• Overseeing anti-terrorism enforcement and policy
• Considering executive nominations and nominations to the federal court

Visit the committee's website: judiciary.senate.gov

Joint Economic Committee

The Joint Economic Committee consists of members from both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and charged with examining issues that impact our national economy. The Committee helps provide citizens and lawmakers with critical information on the health of our economy and often examine how government can better work for the middle class by:

• Helping members of the “sandwich generation” balance the competing demands of caring for their aging parents, as they also raise their children and work to make ends meet
• Investigating market concentration in the US petroleum industry and its impact on fuel prices
• Promoting the use of energy efficient technologies to help families save on their fuel and energy bills
• Safeguarding the housing market from the negative affects of risky mortgage practices, like sub prime lending

Visit the committee's website: jec.senate.gov