During Tuesday’s Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) spoke about challenges in the United States agriculture industry.
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00:00Good afternoon and welcome. It's my privilege to call this hearing to order.
00:03Today we will consider the nominations of Mr. Luke Lindbergh to be the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs
00:12and Mr. Devin Westhill to be Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture for Civil Rights.
00:21We welcome both of you to the committee and congratulate you on your nominations.
00:26Thank you so much for your willingness to serve.
00:29The challenges that farmers continue to face, which have been consistently communicated to this committee
00:35and the Farm Bill hearings we have held so far, this Congress show why it's so important that Secretary Rollins have her team in place.
00:43The costs for fuel, seed, and fertilizer remain high, as do interest rates, and farmers everywhere are losing money on every acre they cultivate,
00:54all the while while in desperate need of an updated Farm Bill safety net and risk management tools.
01:00Secretary Rollins has done a great job supporting our farmers through these challenges and the two nominees before us today will be important members of her team.
01:10Starting with Mr. Lindbergh, the Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs is tasked with expanding access for U.S. agricultural products into foreign markets and promoting U.S. food and agricultural exports.
01:24Considering that the U.S. agriculture trade deficit is projected to reach a record $49 billion this year, and both tariff and non-tariff trade barriers continue to inhibit U.S. agriculture from reaching key markets and opening new markets,
01:42this position is truly critical. Mr. Lindbergh will be tasked with representing U.S.T.A. in trade negotiations, including collaborating with U.S.T.R., the Department of Commerce, Department of State, and the White House.
01:59Farmers and ranchers rely on this position to elevate the significance of agricultural trade issues in broader trade discussions,
02:08and will be especially true given the current uncertain trade environment.
02:14The Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs also plays an important role in administering USDA's international food assistance programs.
02:24Mr. Lindbergh will be responsible for coordinating commodity procurement among various agencies within the USDA.
02:33This work helps expand markets for U.S. producers, and Mr. Lindbergh will be responsible for working with the White House to ensure the good work of the longstanding programs such as Food for Peace can continue.
02:47I'm confident that Mr. Lindbergh's prior government service, prior private sector expertise, and his deep trade background will serve him well in this role.
02:59While Mr. Lindbergh will have important work to lead, so too will Mr. Westhill.
03:04As I've said before, I believe producers want an improved relationship with USDA.
03:09They want to know that USDA is a partner and will provide them the tools they need.
03:13Mr. Westhill will be in charge of enforcing civil rights law within the USDA, as well as processing unemployment opportunity complaints.
03:23While this role isn't often in the spotlight, it truly is essential.
03:28Mr. Westhill will be tasked with ensuring all USDA employees are treated with respect, that their civil rights are protected, and they are not fearful of retaliation.
03:38He will also work with the 29 agencies and eight missionaries within the USDA to ensure that the programs meant to serve our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities are carried out in a way that is consistent with civil rights law and department protocol, and address complaints in a timely and thoughtful manner.
03:59Having previously served as deputy assistant secretary for civil rights, he knows the office inside and out, and will be able to hit the ground running, and I'm confident he's the right man for the job.
04:12I'm confident both Mr. Lindbergh and Westhill have the necessary expertise and experience and will thrive in these roles.
04:21I look forward to hearing their testimonies and answer to our questions.