Two Florida Republicans -- both of whom are possible candidates to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 -- announced Tuesday that they would be chairing congressional subcommittees when their party takes over the U.S. House in January.
U.S. Rep. Connie Mack slides over from ranking Republican to chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
Im truly honored to be named chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee and to continue my work on addressing the pressing issues facing the region, said Mack. With freedom and free markets under continuous assault by thugocrats like Venezuelas Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers in Cuba, the United States must remain committed to countering the influence of these socialist leaders in the region. We must also work with our allies in the hemisphere to eradicate terrorist organizations like the FARC, keep a watchful eye on the dangerous ties between Russia, Iran and Venezuela, and build relationships based on our shared goals of freedom, security and prosperity.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, praised the stances taken by her fellow Florida Republican.
Congressman Mack does not hesitate to call a dictator a dictator, or, as is his preferred term, a thugocrat, she said. Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, and Rafael Correa are all placing democracy under siege in Latin America, and I am happy to have Connie standing up to their tyrannical advances as chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney also revealed on Tuesday that he would head up a congressional subcommittee.
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., named Rooney to head the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry.
Florida, and particularly the 16th district, is one of the largest, most diverse agriculture producing areas in the country, and I look forward to bringing that perspective to the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, said Rooney, who is vice chair of the Dairy Caucus and a member of the Beef Caucus. I am honored to serve as chairman of this subcommittee, which plays a critical role in making sure our country has a safe, affordable and abundant food supply. The agriculture industry is a great economic engine for Florida and the country, and I look forward to leading on these issues.
"Congressman Rooney is a strong advocate for American agriculture and understands how important the industry is to both our state and national economies, said Lucas, who will be chairman of the House Agriculture Committee when the Republicans take power. I am pleased to have him as a subcommittee chairman and look forward to working with him.
Both Rooney and Mack are contemplating taking on Nelson in 2012. Other possible Republican candidates include outgoing U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, incoming U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, former Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, and businessman and retired Army officer Mike McCalister who ran for governor in 2010.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
