U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) recently joined more than 30 of his Republican colleagues in requesting that President Joe Biden quickly nominate individuals to fill the vacant positions of Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a new chief agricultural negotiator at the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
“International trade is a major source of demand for American agricultural products,” said Rep. Davis in an April 8 statement. “It’s critical that American farmers are represented by public officials at the USDA and USTR who are advocating for their interests, but President Biden hasn’t successfully made appointments to these vacant and important trade positions.”
Rep. Davis reiterated that stance in an April 6 letter sent to Biden that was also signed by 32 other lawmakers, including U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Don Bacon (R-NE), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), David Valadao (R-CA), Sam Graves (R-MO), Mike Bost (R-IL), and Ashley Hinson (R-IA).
“It is imperative for our agricultural competitiveness for these positions to be promptly filled,” the lawmakers wrote. “These nominations are essential to our agriculture industry, which is forecasted to export a record $183 .5 billion in fiscal year 2022.”
The USDA and USTR positions both require a presidential nomination and U.S. Senate confirmation. Rep. Davis and his colleagues noted that after 15 months in office, the president has yet to prioritize these positions.
“Our farmers and producers are hard at work to grow an abundant crop for the benefit of many,” they wrote. “We urge you to promptly nominate individuals to represent them.”
The lawmakers requested an update by May 1 on the administration’s plans to nominate individuals to these positions.
“The United States consistently ranks as one of the world’s top producers of various agricultural commodities, such as corn, wheat, milk, and soybeans,” wrote Rep. Davis and the members. “To maintain its standing as a global leader, we must prioritize nominating individuals who represent U.S. agriculture at the international level.”