Senate confirms Rollins as new ag secretary

Brooke Rollins, a conservative legal activist and public policy analyst who served as chief for domestic policy during Donald Trump’s first administration, has been confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Rollins was recently president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank that developed policy and cultivated a network of personnel for the second Trump administration.

On Feb. 13, the U.S. Senate voted 72-28 to confirm Rollins to lead the USDA.

During Trump’s first term, Rollins served as acting director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, overseeing a portfolio that included agriculture policy. She also served as president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank.

The International Fresh Produce Association congratulated Rollins in a statement.

“We look forward to working closely with Secretary Rollins and USDA leadership to champion initiatives that empower fresh produce businesses to thrive,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said. “By working together, IFPA and USDA can support U.S. growers and promote better public health. Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, USDA can ensure a strong, competitive and sustainable fresh produce supply chain for both growers and consumers.”

The National Potato Council also issued a statement.

“We welcome Brooke Rollins’ confirmation and look forward to working with her to address the critical challenges confronting American farmers and rural communities,” NPC CEO Kam Quarles said. “Her leadership at the USDA is essential as the U.S. potato industry and our specialty crop allies work to pass a new farm bill, secure essential funding for research and market development projects, open new foreign markets, and support the growers and workers who are delivering nutrition to dinner tables around the world.”

In January, NPC joined more than 400 agriculture groups and businesses on a letter (.pdf) of support for Rollins, stating that her “close working relationship with incoming President Trump will ensure that agriculture and rural America have a prominent and influential voice at the table when critical decisions are made in the White House.”