Senators voted yesterday to confirm four Trump administration nominees responsible for overseeing key agriculture programs and negotiations. The picks were confirmed in a 53-43 vote on a batch of more than 90 nominees spanning several federal agencies. Senate Republicans changed the chamber’s rules earlier this year to allow for block votes on certain nominees. Dr. Mindy Brashears was confirmed to serve as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety, returning to a role she held during President Trump’s first term. Senators also approved Dr. Julie Callahan to serve as the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator.
NCC has been a vocal supporter of both Dr. Brashear’s and Dr. Callahan’s confirmations.
In August, NCC led a group of livestock and poultry associations in calling for Dr. Brashear’s confirmation as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety. “Dr. Brashears is eminently qualified to fulfill the critical role of overseeing the safety of the nation’s meat and poultry products,” the letter said. “Dr. Brashears was unanimously confirmed in 2020 to the same role for which she is again nominated – a position she held until the end of the first Trump Administration. “The Under Secretary for Food Safety is a critical role within the department that should be filled rapidly to assist the Secretary of Agriculture in ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of the nation’s supply of meat, poultry, and egg products,” the letter continued. “Dr. Brashears’ previous work as Under Secretary of Food Safety and her background and experience in the area of food safety have demonstrated her leadership on these issues.”
NCC also joined dozens of trade associations representing farmers, ranchers, fishermen, producers, agribusiness and rural America, in sending a letter expressing strong support of the nomination of Dr. Callahan. “Dr. Callahan brings a deep understanding of global agricultural trade – rooted in her service since 2016 at the Office of the United States Trade Representative overseeing agricultural affairs and commodity policy – and a proven record advancing the interests of U.S. agriculture in complex negotiations,” the groups wrote. “She has worked repeatedly with our organizations on behalf of American agriculture to level the playing field and knock down unfair barriers to trade. Swiftly confirming her and filling this position is vitally important as negotiations continue on reciprocal tariffs and access for U.S. agricultural products with dozens of countries.”
“Dr. Brashears brings a wealth of food safety knowledge, a microbiological background and boots-on-the-ground experience to this position, and we applaud the Senate for her confirmation,” said NCC President Harrison Kircher. “We look forward to working with her and continuing to work with the dedicated professionals at the Food Safety and Inspection Service, in advancing our common goal of protecting public health and keeping our food supply as safe as possible.”
Similarly, Kircher praised Callahan’s confirmation. “With the ongoing slate of trade negotiations and the importance of U.S. broiler exports, it is more important than ever that agriculture has a seat at the table to ensure our interests are represented,” he said. “Dr. Callahan is the perfect fit for this role and we look forward to working with her.”
