Nearly 60 food and ag groups have thrown their support behind Jewel Bronaugh’s nomination to be the next Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Bronaugh, the current Virginia ag commissioner, was selected for the position in January. If confirmed, she would be the first woman of color to hold the number two spot at USDA.
In a letter to Senate Ag Committee leadership, the groups ask the panel to “quickly approve her nomination.”
“In Dr. Bronaugh’s service as a Cooperative Extension Specialist, university dean, USDA-FSA State Executive Director, and most recently as the 16th Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, she has committed herself to fair and equitable administration of the laws and policies within her areas of responsibility,” the groups said.
The signers include the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, and a wide array of commodity groups. They say they are “confident that she will provide outstanding leadership in service to our nation as USDA’s Deputy Secretary.”
So far, the Senate has yet to confirm any Biden-nominated officials to USDA. Tom Vilsack, nominated for a second term as ag secretary, advanced through the Senate Ag Committee on a voice vote and is scheduled for full Senate consideration next week.
The committee has not announced any timeline to consider Bronaugh’s nomination.
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