The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday approved two nominees to fill key positions at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce.  The committee approved Darci Vetter’s nomination to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator at USTR and Stefan Selig’s nomination to be Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. Vetter and Selig were approved unanimously by voice vote.  The committee considered Vetter and Selig and  nominations at a hearing held on May 8.  The nominees must now go to the full Senate for confirmation

“Ms. Vetter will have an important task as the person who fights on behalf of American farmers and ranchers in trade negotiations and Mr. Selig has a critical role to fill helping American businesses be as competitive as possible overseas as the head of the International Trade Administration, and he is well-suited for the job,” said Committee Chiarman Ron Wyden (D-OR). “Both of these nominees will help to advance a trade agenda that’s focused on creating jobs and a strong economy for all Americans,” he said.

Darci Vetter is currently the USDA deputy under secretary for farm and foreign agricultural services, a position she has held since 2010. Prior to her service with USDA, she was an international trade advisor on the Senate Finance Committee. Vetter has also served as USTR director of agricultural affairs from 2005 to 2007 and as USTR director for sustainable development from 2001 to 2005.

Stefan Selig is currently the executive vice chairman of global corporate and investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Previously, he held various leadership roles at Bank of America Securities.