The Senate Ag Committee says it will move quickly to confirm some key nominations in agriculture.
They say they will confirm Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban to be Undersecretary for Food Safety, Vincent Logan to serve as a member of the Farm Credit Administration, and Alexis Taylor to be Undersecretary of Trade and Foreign Ag Affairs. She would serve under Doug McKalip if he is confirmed by the full Senate as Chief Ag Negotiator. She has broad, bipartisan support from ag groups.
“As I have seen from my current position at ODA, the Biden-Harris Administration has made it clear that the country’s trade agenda is focused on growing the economy and creating trade policy where agriculture is at the table. Should I be confirmed, I am eager to join in that effort, in coordination with USTR, other federal agencies, and Congress to work to expand and maintain that diversified market access for US producers and exporters and help them connect with customers around the world. Agriculture is not just what I do, but very much who I am. Working to support farmers and ranchers across the country is something I have dedicated my career to, and should I have the honor to be confirmed as Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, I am committed to working to ensure the interests of U.S. agriculture are being represented here at home and across the globe,” said Taylor.
Ag groups are calling for swift confirmation from the full Senate for all three nominees. The Ag Committee Chair and Ranking Member hope for a full vote next week.
