Obama post for Rep. Bishop?

There are reports the incoming Obama Administration is eyeing Georgia Representative Sanford Bishop to be the next Agriculture Secretary. The eight-term Democrat from Albany told the Associated Press he is honored his name has surfaced, but he has not been contacted about the job. Bishop is among the most conservative African-Americans in Congress and has long been involved in agriculture issues in Congress. He is a go-to lawmaker for Southern farmers because of his position as a senior member of the spending committee for agriculture. Bishop says he would be ready to serve.

(Associated Press)

Georgia Republicans vow no ear-marking

Half of Georgia’s Republicans have committed to end earmarking in the US House and pledged to give up pet spending requests for their districts. Paul Broun of Athens, Nathan Deal of Gainesville, Tom Price of Roswell, and Lynne Westmoreland of Granstville say they will forgo earmarks for at least one year.

Most of them are relatively new members who don’t have the seniority to fetch much spending. They are making their stand after their party lost power in the last election.

Democrat Sanford Bishop of Albany said, “It seems to me to be a little hypocritical given the fact that Republicans broke the record on earmarks when they were in the position to control them.”

But the Republicans say quitting earmarking will help reign in free-spending in Washington.

(The Associated Press)