President Biden has tabbed Xochitl Torres Small to be the following deputy secretary of agriculture. She’s going to change Jewel Bronaugh who introduced final month that she can be stepping right down to spend extra time along with her household.
Torres Small has been UDSA undersecretary for rural growth since October 2021. Previous to that, she was the primary girl and first individual of coloration to characterize New Mexico’s Second Congressional District. Whereas within the Home, Torres Small was a member of the agriculture committee and armed companies committee. She additionally chaired the oversight, administration, and accountability subcommittee below the homeland safety committee.
Earlier than assuming elected workplace, Torres Small labored as a subject organizer in southern New Mexico. She additionally labored as a subject consultant for Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., clerked for United States District Courtroom Choose Robert C. Brack, and labored as an legal professional specializing in water and pure assets legislation.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says that Torres Small has been an “exemplary member” of the USDA subcabinet and a devoted advocate for rural communities. He famous that below her steerage, Rural Growth was the primary federal company to take a position Bipartisan Infrastructure Regulation Funds in bodily infrastructure for high-speed web, and the primary entity to make Inflation Discount Act funds accessible to drive down power prices for farmers and rural small companies
“Her experience will additional USDA’s mission to advance fairness and alternative in and for rural America, and USDA’s dedication to construct a company invested within the success of its workforce and the purchasers we serve,” Vilsack stated. “I’m happy President Biden has nominated her to be Deputy Secretary and I’m totally assured in below secretary Torres Small’s skill to excel on this important function on the Division.”
The Senate should nonetheless affirm Torres Small’s nomination earlier than she will assume her new function. Within the meantime, USDA APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea will function appearing deputy secretary after Bronaugh strikes on. Shea has labored at USDA for greater than 4 many years.
