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Perdue confirmed as U.S. Ag Secretary

Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue was confirmed Monday by the U.S. Senate to be Secretary of Agriculture, completing President Trump’s cabinet.  Speaking in favor of Perdue’s nomination, Senate Ag Chairman Pat Roberts told colleagues the importance of agriculture trade cannot be overstated,  “We have to understand within the administration, within this Senate and with our colleagues in the House that ‘yes’ it is important to export things that we make but it also equally important to export things that we grow.”

Democrat Jon Tester of Montana voted for confirmation, but before the vote on Monday, expressed concern about budget cuts the White House has proposed for the USDA, “The next ag secretary needs to fight for a USDA budget that works for rural families. Once Mr. Perdue is confirmed, I urge him to take the initiative and fight against these damaging cuts that will hurt rural America.”

As Agriculture Secretary, Perdue is in charge of around 100,000 USDA employees as well as the nation’s food, agriculture and natural resources programs.  The vote to confirm was 87 to 11.

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