Senate Agriculture Committee Approves Nominee for USDA Deputy Secretary

On May 17^th, in a bipartisan vote, the Senate Agriculture panel advanced Xochitl Torres Small as the nominee for deputy secretary of agriculture.  The next step in the process will be consideration by the full Senate.  Both Chairwoman Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Boozman (R-AR) of the Senate Agriculture panel praised Ms. Torres Small on her leadership and experience in food and farm policy. Torres Small currently serves as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. Prior to serving as Under Secretary, Torres Small was a United States Representative for New Mexico’s second congressional district where she served on the House Agriculture Committee.