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Sasse, Ernst to join Senate Ag Committee

Newly-elected U.S. senators Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Joni Ernst of Iowa will have seats on the Senate Agriculture Committee in the new Congress.

Sasse replaces retiring Mike Johanns of Nebraska on the committee. Ernst takes the spot held by Tom Harkin of Iowa, who is also retiring. Her appointment means Iowa will retain two seats on the committee, with Chuck Grassley holding on to the other.

Two other new GOP senators, David Perdue of Georgia and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, will also join the Senate Ag Committee.

The Ag Committee’s Democratic lineup will stay the same except for the loss of Harkin and John Walsh of Montana. Republicans will have an 11-9 advantage on the committee, the reverse of the current makeup.

Kansas Senator Pat Roberts is expected to become the new chair of the Senate Ag Committee. The current ranking member, Mississippi’s Thad Cochran, will take over the chairmanship of Appropriations.