Torres-Small Confirmed as USDA Deputy Secretary

On Tuesday, the Senate voted on an 84-8 vote to confirm Xochitl Torres-Small to be Deputy Secretary of USDA. This role, the second highest in the Department, has been vacant since former Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh resigned in late January citing family reasons. Torres-Small most recently served as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. Prior to this role, she served New Mexico’s second congressional district in the House of Representatives. Throughout the nomination process, Torres-Small received bipartisan support from members of the agriculture community.

House Appropriations Committee Releases EPA pending Bill

On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee released the text of its FY2024 spending bill for the Department of Interior and EPA. The bill would provide a total of $6.173 billion in funding to EPA, a $3.96 billion decrease from the FY2023 enacted level. It also included a provision prohibiting EPA from enacting its rule regulating waters of the United States (WOTUS). The bill was marked up and favorably approved by the Interior and Environment Subcommittee Thursday afternoon. It will now go to the full Appropriations Committee for consideration. The Senate has yet to release its version of the bill.

House Ways & Means Committee Holds Hearing on Agriculture & Trade

On Monday, the House Ways and Means Committee held a field hearing to learn how agricultural producers are impacted by trade policy. In the hearing, which took place in Kimball, Minnesota, touched on agricultural labor challenges, enforcing trade agreements, and how to help keep American producers competitive in the global market. A recording of the hearing can be found here.