Why Hasn’t A Ag Secretary Been Selected?

Ag leaders on and off Capitol Hill are scratching their heads over why it’s taking President-elect Trump so long to tap someone for Ag Secretary.  Even GOP lawmakers close to the new administration don’t have an answer.  An Ag secretary could still be named before inauguration day.  But despite weeks of speculation, continued problems in farm country, and the need for a new farm bill, the post seems to be a lower priority for President-elect Trump.  Trump expressed strong support for agriculture and ethanol on the campaign trail, but longtime ag Senator Iowa’s Chuck Grassley is at a loss to explain the delay.

“We’ve had a dozen names pop up, and everyone has popped up twice.  So, to be clear, I don’t know who will be the next Secretary of Agriculture.  I talked with the chairman of the Senate Agriculture committee yesterday, he doesn’t know.  Everybody wishes the pick would come.”

Grassley says he’s heard nothing from the incoming administration against agriculture, except for Trump’s opposition to TPP, adding that Trump might be able to fill part of that void with a bilateral deal with Japan.

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