By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Editor
The nation finally has a new Secretary of Agriculture. George “Sonny” Perdue of Georgia was approved by the U.S. Senate Monday afternoon and was sworn into office today.
“We’re pleased the Senate officially confirmed Sonny Perdue as the next Secretary of Agriculture. The nation has gone too long without a leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) President Russell Boening said.
Perdue, the nation’s 31st Secretary of Agriculture, was nominated by the Trump Administration Jan. 19, the day before President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
His nomination was approved by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry March 23. Although some hoped Perdue’s consideration by the full Senate would follow soon after, it was delayed until after the chamber’s two-week break in April.
“With farm bill, budget and trade talks underway, Secretary Perdue will provide a voice for America’s farmers and ranchers. We support the secretary and look forward to working with him on issues important to Texas and American agriculture,” Boening said.
Perdue is the first southerner to lead USDA in more than 20 years.
He told the Senate Ag Committee at his nomination hearing he has four goals as secretary.
One is to remove obstacles from America’s agriculture and agribusiness sectors and give them every opportunity to prosper.
Perdue said he’ll also prioritize customer service every day, ensure a safe and affordable food supply and will take care of the land and natural resources entrusted to USDA.
Perdue, a Republican, grew up on a dairy and diversified row crop farm in rural Georgia. He holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine and is the founder and operator of three agribusinesses and transportation firms serving farmers across the Southeastern United States.
“He is a real-world farmer himself and knows the business inside out,” Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation president, said. “He understands the impact farm labor shortages, trade agreements and regulations have on a farmer’s bottom line and ability to stay in business from one season to the next. There’s important work ahead for the secretary, and he’ll need to address these challenges against the backdrop of the biggest drop in farm prices and income we’ve seen in decades.”
Perdue was confirmed in an 81-11 vote. Both Texas Senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, voted in favor of Perdue.