Senate Ag Committee Approves Brooke Rollins

A few months ago, Trump nominated Brooke Rollins to lead the USDA. While many of us may have had to Google who she was, the Senate Ag Committee voted unanimously to approve her as USDA lead on Monday night. 

Rollins still needs a full Senate vote before she’s “in.” But it’s expected she’ll receive bipartisan support.

Background: Rollins served as a domestic policy chief during Trump’s first term. While her ag policy experience is minimal, Republicans are thrilled she has a close relationship with Trump.

A big job: Rollins will be tasked with handling potential tariff retaliations. ICYMI, Trump’s first trade war led to more than $27B in losses for U.S. ag exports between mid-2018 and 2019.

Rewind: Back in 2018 and 2019, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue used the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to pay farmers for their lost exports when trading partners raised tariffs. Rollins said she’d be willing to use Section 5 authority over the CCC to do the same.

Rollins vowed to work with the Labor Secretary nominee on H-2A visas, the program that allows migrant workers to come to the U.S. for seasonal work. Nearly half of hired crop workers aren’t here legally. 

Soundbite: “I sincerely believe that if I do my job, [USDA will be able to help] bring in new trade partners, to expand access for new trade products and for all, whether it’s specialty crops or the row crops or the livestock industry.” — Brooke Rollins