In a unanimous Senate Agriculture Committee vote held today, Brooke Rollins moved forward toward her confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The panel’s vote will be followed by a Senate floor vote, which has not yet been scheduled.
A Texas native and former CEO of the nonprofit America First Policy Institute, Rollins was nominated by President Donald Trump in November.
During her confirmation hearings last month, Rollins emphasized her commitment to advancing Trump’s agenda while addressing key concerns raised by senators, including trade, immigration, nutrition, and rural development. She also ensured lawmakers that she would shield farmers from Trump’s tariffs against nations like Canada and China.
“Agriculture is surpassingly important to us as a nation,” she said during her testimony. “If I am confirmed, I commit to ensuring our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities thrive.”
To quote Thomas Jefferson, “agriculture… is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals & happiness.”
That was true in the days of our Nation’s founding, and it is true today. It encompasses my mission should I be confirmed as the… pic.twitter.com/E71PuK2hnl
— Brooke Rollins (@BrookeLRollins) January 23, 2025
Rollins “is an ag girl at heart, and clearly knows how to get things done. I have full confidence in your ability to lead this department, full faith and confidence,” said Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa.
Rollins’ nomination drew attention from both sides of the aisle. While Republicans praised her close relationship with Trump and her experience in policy, some Democrats voiced concerns about her stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and other U.S. Department of Agriculture priorities. Those concerns were further exacerbated in the days after Trump’s inauguration when the USDA’s equity work, including the Equity Commission’s report, became unavailable online.
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) told Politico that she’s “frustrated” by Trump’s moves at the USDA.
“First off, people have to know, our agriculture agencies are already underfunded and understaffed,” Salinas said. “So to cut additional people right now is not helpful at a time when we are trying to roll out these programs that our farmers depend on. It’s only going to make matters worse.”
“Her history demonstrates a disregard for and lack of commitment to supporting Black, Indigenous, and other farmers and ranchers of color, as well as small and family farmers, farmworkers, and the working people who sustain our food system,” echoed Nichelle Harriott, policy director at the HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance.
Yet there are far, far more people supporting Rollins than were against her. She was cool and collected during her confirmation testimony, and he handled herself exactly as one would expect a candidate in her position would. Her responses to senators’ questions were informed and insightful.
“I just can’t emphasize enough my support for Brooke Rollins,” said Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas. “I think she’s just going to be an incredible Secretary of Agriculture; I think she’s going to give us a loud voice. She absolutely has the president’s ear and I think she’s going to be great for Kansas agriculture and rural America for that matter.”
Rollins’ assurances to work collaboratively across agencies and to push forward critical programs for the agricultural sector helped secure her confirmation.
“The American family farm has to be protected like no other — it is the very backbone of our country,” said Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia. “Brooke Rollins understand this American Dream and will be a strong voice for our farmers as the Secretary of Agriculture.”
Rollins inherits a USDA with more than 100,000 employees and significant challenges, including addressing avian flu outbreaks, improving market access for U.S. agriculture, and navigating President Trump’s newly implemented tariff strategies.
In her first 100 days, Rollins plans to focus on modernizing USDA programs, distributing economic aid to farmers, addressing animal disease outbreaks, and supporting the administration’s rural development goals. She also highlighted the need for a new farm bill to provide stability and support for farmers.

Notably, Rollins is only the second woman in U.S. history who could serve as the Secretary of Agriculture, following Ann Veneman under President George W. Bush. Her confirmation marks pivotal changes at the USDA as it navigates significant policy shifts under the Trump administration.
Rollins concluded her remarks during the hearing by reiterating her dedication to the agriculture community: “My role is to defend, to honor, to elevate our entire agriculture community in the Oval Office.”
With Rollins now at the helm, the agriculture sector will be watching closely as she tackles these challenges in collaboration with farmers, ranchers, and policymakers across the nation.