Georgia’s Perdue to head two subcommittees as freshman senator

Both posts give Perdue the opportunity to dig in on agency oversight. On Foreign Relations, that means the State Department. Perdue mentioned the 2012 Benghazi attacks — the subject of a special House investigative committee — in a prepared statement:

“For the last six years, the President’s aimless foreign policy has confused our allies and emboldened our enemies. Recent terror attacks around the world serve to remind us that the War on Terror is far from over.

“From the debatable effectiveness of our foreign aid programs to the tragedy that took place in Benghazi, Georgians know that current foreign policy decisions are not making America any safer. Through serious oversight of the budget process we will make sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, while protecting our national interests.

“As chairman, I will work to review the structure and operations of these important agencies to ensure an effective foreign policy that achieves our long-term strategic goals.”

On Agriculture, Perdue will get to scrutinize the Environmental Protection Agency — which has irked many Georgia farmers. Said Perdue:

“I’m proud to represent Georgia’s strong and vibrant agricultural community. My goal is to make sure that the EPA doesn’t insidiously burden our farmers, and that we continue to foster growth and innovation across our largest industry. As chairman of this subcommittee, I’ll work to ensure that Georgia’s agricultural interests are protected and that our homegrown products are promoted around the world.”

A pair of subcommittee chairmanships is a major coup for a rookie, though there are 68 subcommittees in the Senate and only 56 Republicans, meaning there are a lot of gavels to go around. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was chairman of the same Foreign Relations subcommittee as a newcomer in the previous Congress.

Perdue was also assigned to Foreign Relations subcommittees on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism; Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women’s Issues; and Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy. His other Agriculture subcommittees are Commodities, Risk Management and Trade; and Rural Development and Energy.

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., another member of the Foreign Relations Committee, will serve on Perdue’s subcommittee, in addition to posts covering Africa and East Asia.