By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
The future of immigration policy, land regulation, tax reform, trade and other issues important to agriculture and rural America will be decided by a group of men and women selected by voters and President-elect Donald Trump over the past few weeks and months.
While Congress plays a vital role in the creation and passage of legislation, the Presidential Cabinet also plays a part in shaping the future of the country over the next four to eight years.
To encourage all to work in the best interests of agriculture and rural residents, the American Farm Bureau Federation and state Farm Bureaus stand ready to work with appointed and elected officials.
“We have genuinely been looking forward to working with all of the individuals, particularly those agencies both at the cabinet level and, as we get farther into this, at the subcabinet level that President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect (Mike) Pence put in place,” Dale Moore, AFBF executive director of Public Policy, said. “We’re particularly interested in the Secretary of Agriculture.”
Although the Secretary of Agriculture is important for the agricultural community, other cabinet secretaries can also affect change that impacts farmers, ranchers and dairymen across the nation.
Environmental Protection Agency
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has been tapped to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which he has criticized in the past for its Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule and other overreaching policies.
“He has been a champion for agriculture, not only within his state, but in taking on some of these issues where EPA has, in our opinion, kind of run amok,” Moore said.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall has called Pruitt an “ideal nominee” for the spot and endorsed his placement.
“In recent years, farmers and ranchers have suffered under burdensome, unnecessary, and too often, unlawful regulations promulgated by the EPA,” Duvall said. “We desperately need an administrator who understands the challenges our farmers and ranchers face in producing safe, wholesome and affordable food for our nation and world.”
Interior
AFBF is also looking forward to working with Congressman Ryan Zinke of Montana, who has been nominated as Secretary of Interior.
“Something that we know and are looking forward to is sitting down with Congressman Zinke and being able to explain some of our issues and concerns with multiple use on federal lands,” Moore said. “The Montana Farm Bureau folks have made clear to us, he is someone whom they have had a good working relationship with, and he’ll bring a lot of strength to that position.”
Energy
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has worked with Texas Farm Bureau in the past, has been nominated for Secretary of Energy.
“Agriculture is a major user of energy and some of the different products in the interaction with the bioenergy side of the equation,” Moore said.
U.S. Trade Representative
Robert Lighthizer, an international lawyer who also served under President Ronald Reagan, has been selected to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative. As the chief trade negotiator, he will work with the president and cabinet on new and current trade deals with other countries.
“The American Farm Bureau Federation looks forward to working with United States Trade Representative nominee Robert Lighthizer. Mr. Lighthizer has had a long and distinguished career in trade, working in the White House, Senate and private sector to assure favorable trading conditions for American goods and services,” Duvall said.
Because America’s farmers and ranchers know unfair regulations, steep tariffs and senseless non-tariff barriers undermine our exports, we must all work together to remove the obstacles to prosperity and identify new global opportunities to benefit American agriculture, according to Duvall.
“Economic growth in rural America depends on maintaining and increasing access to markets outside the United States. Since more than 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside our borders, expanding access to international markets is essential for our future success. We trust Mr. Lighthizer will work tirelessly to assure it,” Duvall said.
Labor
Andrew Puzde