Congressional victors already have committee assignments

The U.S. House Republican Steering Committee has already set aside committee seats for the victors of Louisiana’s recent congressional runoffs.

Congressmen-elect Ralph Abraham, who won in the 5th District last week, and Garret Graves, in the 6th, have already been contacted by the party leadership.

What is arguably the most important assignment goes to Graves, who will be Louisiana’s only member sitting on the House Transportation Committee.

He will also join Congressman John Fleming, R-Quitman, on the House Natural Resources Committee. Congressman Vance McAllister currently serves on natural resources as well, but will not be returning after losing in the primary.

Natural resources is a good pull for a south Louisiana congressman, since it has oversight of legislation related to energy production, mineral lands, fisheries, wildlife, public lands and oceans.

Abraham will likewise replace McAllister on the House Agriculture Committee and has secured a spot on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where he will be the only member from Louisiana’s congressional delegationDavid LaCerte, secretary of Louisiana Department if Veterans Affairs, said he was most excited about Abraham’s assignments, especially veterans’ affairs, since “Louisiana has been without a voice on this committee for far too long.”

More to come on marijuana issue

After failing to pass a medical marijuana bill last year, state Sen. Fred Mills, R-Parks, is telling supporters he will return in 2015 with legislation that focuses on different applications like oils and pills.

Danny Ford, lobbyist for the Louisiana Cannabis Industry Association, said narrowing the focus of such a proposal is a smart move.

“We’ve got to find a way to get something passed,” he said. “We’re excited about further exploring both the medicinal and agriculture sides of this issue.”

Ford said LCIA will also gear up next year to help educate the candidates for governor and to learn their stances on various issues.EWE Said It

With former Gov. Edwin Edwards’ defeat in the 6th Congressional District last week comes his official exit as a candidate from Louisiana politics.

At age 87, he told reporters he doesn’t intend to run for another office.

While he lost his congressional bid, Edwards did leave behind a long string of quotable comments.

Here are a few highlights from runoff debates last month before the Livingston Chamber of Commerce and Baton Rouge Press Club:“I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. They’re all out there walking around.” —Edwards on Edwards“Not everyone wants to be a lawyer. Some people want to work for a living.” —Edwards on higher education “You have everything except an easy way to get here.” —Edwards to residents of Denham Springs on their local natural resources “It all came about when I was in a place without Internet access.” —Edwards on why it took him so long to catch up on web issues, and referencing his time in federal prison “I don’t like to talk about people in their absence, though it’s his fault that he’s not here.” —Edwards, at last month’s Baton Rouge Press Club debate, where he was the only participant