Senate Confirms Sonny Perdue as Agriculture Secretary

The Senate confirmed former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to be agriculture secretary in President Donald Trump’s administration with a Monday vote of 87-11. Perdue will be the first Southerner in the position in more than two decades. At his confirmation hearing in March, Perdue promised the would advocate on behalf of rural America despite the fact that Trump has proposed cuts to some farm programs. The role of agriculture secretary includes but is not limited to being in charge of around 100,000 employees and the nation’s food and farm programs, including agricultural subsidies, conservation efforts, and rural development programs.