President Trump’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary nominee, Brooke Rollins, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee this week, the latest step in her path toward Senate confirmation.
Rollins’ testimony centered on four priorities she has for USDA, including “[ensuring] the disaster and economic assistance authorized by Congress is deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible,” to “get a handle on the state of animal disease outbreaks” including highly-pathogenic avian influenza, passing a Farm Bill, and “to borrow a phrase, put America First.”
“These are just four of my top priorities,” Rollins said. “I’m excited to continue to explore how we truly unleash the power of U.S. farmers and ranchers together — not just in this hearing, but in my prospective tenure as Secretary.”
Rollins’ full opening statement can be found here.
Rollins was asked about highly pathogenic avian influenza on multiple occasions throughout the hearing and noted that she intends to prioritize the issue and work with Congress on USDA staffing and resources provided to tackle the outbreak.
The confirmation hearing also touched on topics such as processed foods in school meals, food labeling, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), biofuels, Proposition 12, the recent California wildfires, foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land, farm labor availability, USDA in-office work requirements, hunger relief, and disaster relief.
A native of Glen Rose, TX, Rollins most recently served as CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a D.C.-based advocacy organization focused on President Trump’s first-term agenda. Before AFPI, Rollins led the White House Domestic Policy Council during President Trump’s first term and the White House Office of American Innovation.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science in agricultural development cum laude from Texas A&M University, Rollins earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas with honors. After law school, Rollins worked for Hughes & Luce, LLP in Dallas, TX, clerked for a U.S. Federal District Court judge, served as deputy general counsel and policy director to Texas governor Rick Perry, served as president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, then served in the White House during President Trump’s first term.
President-elect Trump nominated Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture on November 23, 2024. If confirmed, Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack and would be the second woman ever to hold the position after Ann Veneman.
NCC recently joined a letter expressing support for the Senate’s confirmation of Rollins as USDA Secretary.
“We write in support of Brooke Leslie Rollins’ nomination to be the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture,” the letter, addressed to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), said. “Her experience as an executive, building and running two large public policy organizations, has prepared her to provide effective executive leadership for USDA’s important, wide-ranging activities and large workforce. Her close working relationship with incoming President Trump will ensure that agriculture and rural America have a prominent and influential voice at the table when critical decisions are made in the White House.”
“We look forward to Agriculture Secretary-designate Rollins bringing her unique experience and capabilities to tackle the challenges facing agriculture and rural America once confirmed,” the letter concluded.
The full letter can be found here.
