WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking member, today announced that the committee advanced Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico to be deputy secretary of agriculture to the full Senate for consideration.
“Ms. Torres Small has a proven track record and a wide-ranging background that make her an ideal candidate to help lead the nearly 100,000 public servants at USDA. Ms. Torres Small is deeply committed to food and farm policy and understands the needs of rural America. I am pleased that we are making progress advancing her nomination, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to see her confirmed as soon as possible,” Chairwoman Stabenow said.
“Xochitl Torres Small is well-qualified to serve as deputy secretary at USDA. She has shown herself to be a thoughtful leader while overseeing the rural development mission, and I believe those qualities will be an asset in this new role. Additionally, it will be beneficial for committee members to have someone who has served in Congress, who understands our role, as the second in charge at USDA. I encourage the Senate to move swiftly to confirm her as deputy secretary,” Ranking Member Boozman said.