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Ag groups urge Perdue vote; Johanns weighs in

Farm groups are urging Senate leaders to allow a vote this week on Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture before adjourning for a two-week Easter recess.

A letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was signed by 16 ag groups, including Farm Bureau and Farmers Union. It cites a “long and growing list” of domestic and international issues that need to be addressed by the next ag secretary, including upcoming budget discussions.

However, Capitol Hill observers are not optimistic that Senate action on Perdue will take place this week because of the focus on Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. If the Perdue vote doesn’t happen, it could be late April or early May before it does.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns says Purdue’s confirmation process has taken way too long.

“We need to get an ag secretary in office—that’s the first priority,” Johanns says. “And then we need to him engaged in the farm bill right away, because budgets are going to be tight, no question about it.”

Johanns says Perdue is the “right guy”.

“But, unfortunately, he’s making his way through a very gummed-up process. It’s taking too long,” Johanns says.

Johanns, who is also a former governor and U.S. Senator from Nebraska, spoke with Brownfield at a Nebraska Farm Bureau 100th anniversary event in Lincoln.

AUDIO: Mike Johanns