BACKGROUND
As Chairman of a key subcommittee of Appropriations, 'Cardinal' Bennett manages the "business" of agriculture, forestry and nutrition in the Senate, one of the largest discretionary uses of federal funds. Allocations of funds are made in this committee for credit and subsidies to agribusiness, farmers and those who lease public lands and forests as well as for the operations of the FDA and USDA.

PREMISE OF THE SUIT
Diamonds are members of the U.S. Senate. There are two Senators for each state in the union, regardless of population. After working out differences in conference with House, the Senate passes the legislation that becomes the "law of the land." The most powerful Senators are the majority leadership and the committee chairs, which are always members of the majority party. Chairmen of the subcommittees of Appropriations are known as 'Cardinals' due to the power they wield over the allocation of federal funds. Senators serve for six-year terms and are in power because you voted for them.

LINKS
www.bennett.senate.gov/bennettinthesenate/biography.html
www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/e_one_section_
no_teasers/org_chart.htm