Vaden’s Nomination Advances To Full Senate

The nomination of Stephen Vaden to be the next USDA Deputy Secretary is advancing to the full Senate this week, amid turbulent times at the department over trade, staffing and budget cuts, and spending freezes.  Former USDA General Counsel in the first Trump term and a US Court of International Trade judge, Vaden faced tough questions from Democrats at his recent confirmation hearing.  But the Tennessean, expected to play a big role in USDA’s day-to-day operations, was quick to push back on criticism of the president’s tariffs.

“If we’re going to be throwing punches on behalf of America’s economy, there are some punches that need to be thrown on behalf of American farmers, too," Vaden noted.  "Because, while tariffs are the headline, what blocks so many American agricultural products from other countries are phony phytosanitary concerns.”

Vaden vowed to urge the president’s trade team to take the offense to open markets blocked to US farmers and to be in constant touch with Ag lawmakers.

When asked by top ag Democrat Amy Klobuchar if terms like ethanol, biofuels, and aviation fuel targeted on a leaked Ag Research Service memo should be considered “woke”.

“Senator, I do not," Vaden said.  "And although it did not come up in my meeting with you, I discussed the department’s support for biofuels and sustainable or synthetic, whichever term you prefer to use, aviation fuel with your members…and I look forward to working with this committee on that.”

In addition, the nomination of Tyler Clarkson to be USDA General Counsel also advanced to the full Senate.

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