By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

There is now a Texan at the helm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Brooke Rollins of Texas as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in a 72-28 vote Thursday, Feb. 13.

“Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) congratulates Brooke Rollins on her confirmation as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. She is a passionate advocate for agriculture who assumes the Secretary position at a critical time for America’s farmers and ranchers,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Her leadership will be critical as important farm policy decisions are made in Washington, D.C., such as the consideration and passage of a new farm bill that is long overdue.”

Rollins is the first Texan to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

“We are confident she will serve Lone Star farmers and ranchers and all U.S. farmers and ranchers with distinction,” Boening said.

Prior to the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) spoke in favor of Rollins’ confirmation.

“Under President Trump. I know that farmers and ranchers will have a friend in Brooke Rollins, the president’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture,” Thune said.

Rollins grew up in Glen Rose baling hay and raising livestock. She spent summers working on her family’s farm in Minnesota, and she was an active member of 4-H and FFA.

Rollins has a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University and a juris doctor from the University of Texas.

“Brooke Rollins is a policy wonk with a farmer’s heart,” Thune said. “She understands the needs of agriculture producers, and she knows how to deliver results.”

During her nomination hearing in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Rollins outlined her top priorities.

“First, we must ensure that the disaster and economic assistance authorized by Congress is deployed as quickly and as efficiently as possible,” Rollins said.

Her second priority is to work with USDA employees, stakeholder communities and state leaders to comprehensively get a handle on the state of animal disease outbreaks.

“Third, we must immediately begin to modernize, realign, rethink the United States Department of Agriculture, responding to the clear needs and the desires of the American people as set forth so well by the president of the United States,” Rollins said.

In the long term, Rollins said she plans to ensure rural communities are equipped and supported to prosper not just today but in the years to come.

Both U.S. Senators from Texas, John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), voted in favor of Rollins’ confirmation.

“Brooke Rollins is a lifelong Texan with deep agricultural roots and a passion for public service, all of which make her the perfect choice by President Trump to lead the USDA,” Cornyn said. “I know my friend Brooke will be a strong voice for farmers and producers from the Lone Star State, and I was glad to support her nomination.”

Cornyn and Cruz introduced Rollins to the Senate Ag Committee’s nomination hearing.

Cruz said confirming Rollins to be the next Secretary of Agriculture is a “no brainer.”

“Just as she is a ferocious advocate for farmers and ranchers in every one of your states and all across the country, she’s going to be an extraordinary and even an historic Secretary of Agriculture,” Cruz said.

In her nomination hearing, Rollins pledged to do everything within her ability to ensure farmers, ranchers and rural communities thrive. Sen. Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) said that’s one of the many reasons he supported her nomination and confirmation.

“We know she will follow through on that because rural America helped shape her into what she is today,” Boozman said.

Prior to her nomination, Rollins served as the president and CEO of the American First Policy Institute. Prior to that, Rollins was the director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the president for Strategic Initiatives in President Trump’s first term. She also served as the director of the Office of American Innovation.

She also served as deputy general counsel and policy director for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation for 15 years.