The Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday advanced two of President Trump’s picks for top USDA positions. The nominees now await a confirmation vote from the full chamber.
Stephen Vaden, proposed for deputy secretary of USDA, advanced with a 12-11 vote. He was the agency’s general counsel during the first Trump administration and most recently served as a federal judge on the Court of International Trade.
The committee also voted 12-11 to move forward general counsel pick Tyler Clarkson. He is currently deputy general counsel at biotechnology company Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. and also worked as USDA deputy general counsel in the first Trump administration.
