The U.S. Senate this week confirmed Xochitl Torres Small, a former Member of the House of Representatives, as USDA deputy secretary.
Most recently, Torres Small served as under secretary for rural development since October 2021, a position that also required Senate confirmation.
Before her tenure at USDA, Torres Small served for one term from 2018 as Member of Congress from New Mexico’s second Congressional district. During her House tenure she served on the House Agriculture Committee. She lost her re-election bid in 2020.
Her nomination was approved by a vote of 84-8. Her nomination was advanced by the Senate Agriculture Committee on May 17.
