Is Jerry Moran going to be the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture?Probably not, though his name has been mentioned.”The phone hasn’t been ringing,” Moran told the Associated Press Monday, after it was announced Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman would step down.Veneman’s departure is big news, of course, in the agriculture-heavy state of Kansas. Moran, a Kansas Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, told AP he wants the new secretary to be able to connect with Midwest farmers.”I think someone who knows the nuts and bolts of farm programs heading into the next farm bill would be helpful,” said Moran, who chairs the commodity crop subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee. Some Kansas ag officials criticized Veneman for her handling of the mad cow disease crisis. But she received only praise on Monday from U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts.“Her legacy will be the food security of the United States due to her untiring efforts to place agroterrorism as a priority within our national security system and her ability to maintain confidence in our food supply through sound science and knowledge during times of difficult challenge,” Roberts said. Veneman’s replacement might well be working closely with Roberts. Published reports continue to suggest that Roberts might be the new chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee when the new Congress convenes in January. Roberts would have to give up his post as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee to take the job.Other links: Sam Brownback links Bishops’ Official Reacts to Another U.S. Woman’s Death From RU-486How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation here.