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Trade and USDA leadership top priorities for Brown

 

An Ohio Senator says confirming the President’s nominees for U.S. Trade Representative and Ag Secretary are top priorities moving forward.

Senator Sherrod Brown says the Senate began hearings Tuesday on Robert Lightizer for U.S. Trade Representative and if confirmed he’ll be looking to Lighthizer to enforce existing trade laws and protect American ag.

“Good trade policy with good enforcement means we can sell out agricultural products overseas because it’s a level playing field. I see the right kind of a trade representative with the right sensibilities and sensitivities as being good for American agriculture and good for industrial America,” says Brown.

Brown – who is a member of the Senate Ag Committee – discussed international trade and Ag issues with Ohio Farm Bureau leaders Tuesday. He says the Committee is anxious to begin work on a new farm bill, but an Ag secretary needs to be confirmed first.

“Our first job is to confirm the Secretary of Agriculture and we’re working through that. I’m hopeful that Chairman Roberts will begin that process sooner rather than later,” says Brown.

Senator Brown will be holding roundtables with farmers around Ohio later this spring to discuss farm bill priorities.

Audio: Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown