TOM VILSACK CONGRATULATED BY FARM GROUPS AFTER WINNING SENATE CONFIRMATION
Tom Vilsack received a warm welcome from several ag groups after being overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate to be the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
The former Iowa governor who served as agriculture secretary for the entirety of the Obama administration was confirmed in a 92-7 vote.
Vilsack was the governor of Iowa, the biggest corn- and soybean-producing state in the U.S., from 1999 to 2007. He was a member of the Iowa Senate from 1993 to 1999 and prior to that was the mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
He was born in 1950 and has been married to his wife Christie since 1970.
The National Corn Growers Association said they appreciated his comments during his confirmation hearing in support of biofuels and the role he sees for agriculture approaching climate change.
“Secretary Vilsack has consistently shown a willingness to listen to corn growers, to understand the issues they face on their farms, and we’ve welcomed his outreach to agriculture,” NCGA President John Linder said in a statement. “Corn growers are looking forward to working together to build long-term demand for our product, mitigate the impact of climate change, seek new markets around the globe, and continue to feed and fuel the world.”
The American Soybean Association welcomed Vilsack back to the office in a statement, saying he gained “choice experience” during his prior tenure as ag secretary when he supported renewable fuels, advances in biotechnology, trade agreements, and farm safety nets.
“We appreciate that Secretary Vilsack always supported farmers and understood that they are a driving force for the rural economy,” ASA President Kevin Scott said. “We are confident that he will continue to support producers, and we appreciate his ongoing commitment to seeking farmer input.”
The Renewable Fuels Association said he “intimately understands” the role agriculture plays in addressing food and energy security.
“Secretary Vilsack knows that renewable fuels like ethanol provide a solution that is available today for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, slashing harmful tailpipe pollutants, enhancing domestic energy security, and bolstering the rural economy,” RFA Chief Executive Geoff Cooper said. “We congratulate Secretary Vilsack and look forward to working with him to pursue President Biden’s vision for enhancing and expanding our nation’s production and use of clean, green renewable fuels.”
