Brooke Rollins Confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture:

On Thursday, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brooke Rollins was officially confirmed on the Senate floor by a vote of 72-28. Before her confirmation vote, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry had favorably reported her unanimously 23-0 out of the Committee. Not surprisingly, Rollins was able to garner considerable support from Democrats for her nomination, unlike many other Trump appointees who were only confirmed on party-line votes. With a new Secretary of Agriculture finally in place, it helps streamline the process for other Senate-confirmed positions at USDA to start going through the confirmation process and continue making progress in staffing up the Department.

House Ag Holds Hearing on the State of the Farm Economy:

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing titled, “Examining the Economic Crisis in Farm Country.” Featured testimony included representation from various producers across the country as well as an agricultural economist. Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that a new farm bill providing stability and support for farmers facing economic challenges is paramount to industry viability. Republicans focused on strengthening the farm safety net and avoiding the reliance on ad hoc agricultural disaster assistance, whereas Democrats argued that the Administration’s use of tariffs, firing of federal employees, and funding freezes would intensify trials and tribulations felt at the farm gate. Other topics discussed included the impact of tariffs, labor costs, the struggle to keep up with rising input costs, and the need for improved crop insurance and risk management tools to support the agricultural sector. You can watch the full hearing here.