Vilsack Confirmed As Ag Secretary

By a 92-7 vote Tuesday, the Senate confirmed former Iowa Governor and two term Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to head the USDA yet again. There was really no debate Tuesday, but there was some bipartisan praise from Senate Ag chair Debbie Stabenow and ranking committee member John Boozman.

“When it comes to strengthening our food and farm economy, I am very confident that Tom Vilsack is more than up to the task,” Stabenow noted.

“He has an excellent reputation of putting rural America at the top of his agenda,” added Boozman.

The reaction from the farming community has been primarily positive:

“I applaud the Senate for approving Secretary Tom Vilsack to head the Department of Agriculture for a second time,” said House Ag Committee Chair David Scott.  “I am excited about working with him and his staff to ensure that USDA works to support our farmers in an equitable way. I look forward to Secretary Vilsack joining us at our House Agriculture Committee hearings over the course of his tenure to provide critical updates on the important work of USDA.”

 “I’d like to congratulate Tom Vilsack on his confirmation as USDA Secretary,” said Republican leader of the House Ag Committee, Glenn Thompson.  “While we may not see eye to eye on all agriculture issues, I look forward to identifying opportunities for bipartisan solutions to rural America’s most pressing needs, one of which is targeted COVID relief. I implore Secretary Vilsack and the Biden Administration to unfreeze the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funds immediately to better assist our farmers, ranchers, and producers who have been hit hard by the pandemic."

“The American Farm Bureau Federation congratulates Tom Vilsack on his confirmation as the next Secretary of Agriculture. His strong track record of leadership and previous experience at USDA will serve rural America well,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.  “Secretary Vilsack and I have spoken several times in recent weeks about opportunities and challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers, and I look forward to close collaboration. We have a lot of work to do as we overcome obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must commit to resuming CARES Act programs and continue to build on advances made in trade. We must move forward on the successes made in climate-smart practices while seeking partnerships to ensure new environmental policies remain market-based and voluntary. We also recognize the importance of strengthening the farm bill and bringing broadband to every community in America.

“We stand ready to work with Secretary Vilsack and USDA on issues that benefit this nation’s farmers and ranchers – his success means rural America’s success,” Duvall added.

“The National Association of Wheat Growers applauds the Senate for its timely consideration and strong bipartisan support for confirming Secretary Vilsack to lead the USDA once again,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Like many farmers across the country, wheat growers are facing economic challenges, and we are pleased to see the Senate and President work to fill these leadership positions at the USDA with qualified candidates, so we can continue to work on policy that benefits rural America. Secretary Vilsack is uniquely qualified to head up the USDA, having served there previously, and has an exceptional understanding of agricultural and rural issues. We look forward to working with him and continuing to build our relationship with the USDA.”

“All of U.S. agriculture has an effective advocate in Tom Vilsack, and the nation will be well-served by his return to public service leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.  “We in the dairy community who have had the opportunity to work with him have seen first-hand his deep passion for rural America and his commitment to advancing agriculture and the communities it serves, from farmers and food-sector workers to the consumers and businesses that depend on USDA to meet their needs every day, in every way. That’s especially important in light of today’s pressing challenges, which include a farm economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic; climate change, sustainability and the environment; nutrition and food insecurity; international trade policies that limit U.S. exports; labor shortages that are worsening with time; and the legacies of societal injustice that need to be addressed.

“Tom Vilsack’s experience and leadership will be crucial to meeting these challenges, and more. We congratulate him on his confirmation and pledge to do our best to contribute to his successful service.

"The National Assocation of State Departments of Agriculture [NASDA] congratulates the Honorable Tom Vilsack on his confirmation to lead USDA as the 32nd U.S. agriculture secretary. Vilsack’s leadership, experience and understanding of the value of state agriculture departments will contribute to real and lasting impacts for farmers, ranchers and communities across our nation,” said NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn.  “NASDA is especially enthusiastic to work with the Secretary on our shared priorities including protecting the food supply chain, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in agriculture, building and maintaining markets that advance local and rural economies, and promoting science-based solutions to climate challenges. 

“Farm Credit congratulates Secretary Vilsack on his confirmation as USDA Secretary. His depth and breadth of knowledge about the issues facing agriculture are unparalleled,” said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Todd Van Hoose. “We look forward to working with him to combat the challenges of climate change, address issues of diversity in agriculture and find opportunities for the farmers and ranchers that feed this country and the world to succeed.” 

“We appreciate that during Secretary Vilsack’s confirmation hearing, he acknowledged the critical challenges facing agriculture, including a still struggling farm economy, climate-related disasters, and a growing list of trade challenges,” said Chris Novak, CropLife Ammerica president and CEO. “As farmers continue to face a growing threat from natural disasters, sustainable farming practices, made possible through the use of tools like pesticides and other crop protection products, are imperative to not only keeping farmers viable, but also helping to mitigate climate change through increased carbon sequestration, decreased fuel use and improved water conservation. Secretary Vilsack understands the everyday challenges farmers are facing and his experience and knowledge of pest management will help farmers sustainably produce more affordable food with fewer resources. We look forward to working with the Secretary as he re-assumes this role.”

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