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Republican Tom Emmer is ready to take over for current 6th District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, though he's glad new member orientation is over.


"It's intense, condensed and it comes at you very fast," Emmer told MPR News' Tom Crann Friday.


After being sworn in on Jan. 6, Emmer will serve on the agriculture and foreign affairs committees. He said he lobbied to work with the agriculture group because his district includes a large portion of farmland. Working on foreign affairs was more of an afterthought, he said, though he was pleased to learn that the committee also deals with issues that hit close to home.

"Trade issues and markets — huge when it comes to agriculture production," Emmer said.

Even though Congressional approval ratings are low, Emmer said he's looking forward to representing the state.


"There's going to be a significant turnover in Congress within this next four, five, six years," he said. "What a great opportunity to be a member of an institution that's going through significant change."

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Republican Tom Emmer is taking the 6th District seat of U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who did not run for reelection. He joined Tom Crann to reflect on his new member orientation in Washington and his priorities going forward.

Congressman-elect Tom Emmer on DC orientation, what's next

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