The Senate will vote whether or not to confirm Tom Vilsack as Agriculture Secretary next week. The exact time is uncertain, but the Senate calendar has the vote planned for Tuesday, February 23rd. The Senate will debate the nomination for 20 minutes before voting, with the majority and minority parties receiving equal time.

Ag experts anticipate smooth sailing for Vilsack, who breezed through the Senate Agriculture Committee nomination hearing earlier this month. If confirmed next week, Vilsack will rejoin the Department of Agriculture just a few days over a month since the Biden administration took over the White House.

During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Vilsack stated the world and nation are different from his previous stint leading USDA. Vilsack says, "Today, the pandemic, racial justice and equity, and climate change must be our priorities."

Vilsack most recently as President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

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