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AGRI-PULSE: HIGHLIGHTS OF USDA NOMINEE BROOKE ROLLINS' SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING
Jan. 24, 2025
Agri-Pulse reports:
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| Rollins stands with her FFA advisor Glen Rosenbusch (center right) and former classmates Corey (left) and Dale (right) Rosenbusch. Corey is now president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute. |
Brooke Rollins appears poised for Senate confirmation after a Senate Ag Committee hearing where she strongly defended President Donald Trump's policies while stressing repeatedly that she'll work to protect U.S. agriculture.
As of Thursday, the panel still had not received Rollins' FBI paperwork, but it's possible the panel could vote on her nomination next week, according to a senior aide.
Two key takeaways: First, USDA is gearing up to do a new round of Market Facilitation Program payments should new Trump tariffs trigger another trade war. After the hearing Rollins told reporters she's discussed possible modifications to the MFP of Trump 1.0 with former Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue.
Second, she stopped well short of assuring senators farmers wouldn't be affected by Trump's plan for mass deportations. She notably said the "first round" of deportations would be aimed at migrants with criminal records. That suggests there may be additional rounds that target migrants more broadly, but she didn't elaborate.
Rollins said she will work with the Labor Department on possible changes to the H-2A visa program, but there's only so much the administration can do to expand H-2A without an act of Congress.
Read our full report on the hearing here.
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