Rollins comfortably wins Senate confirmation as ag secretary

Was there ever any doubt that Brooke Rollins would be confirmed as the next Secretary of Agriculture? The Texas native and former CEO of the nonprofit America First Policy Institute cruised through the full U.S. Senate, being confirmed Thursday by a vote of 72-28.

Senators described her as a “terrific nominee” and lauded her “long personal and professional connection to agriculture and rural America.” And during her confirmation hearings last month, Rollins presented a command of the room, giving strong answers to questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“I appreciate Mrs. Rollins committing to getting the much-needed economic assistance for wheat producers rolled out during her confirmation hearing, as well as her interest in getting a long-term, meaningful farm bill signed into law this year that strengthens the farm safety net,” said National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule.

“Brooke Rollins’ passion for agriculture is clear and we know she will be a strong advocate for the entire agriculture and food value chain from production to harvest and beyond,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute.

In hearings, Rollins emphasized her commitment to advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda, while addressing some of the biggest 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.”

Though Rollins has shown herself to have broad support, she hasn’t been entirely without criticism. They have largely centered around her stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and other U.S. Department of Agriculture priorities, while also being fearful that she disproportionately priority commodities and other large operations to the detriment of smaller producers.

“Rollins, as Secretary of Agriculture, will be a serious setback for farmers, ranchers and rural communities already burdened by extreme weather events; livestock disease outbreaks; challenges in accessing land, capital, and new markets; food insecure families who rely on federal assistance to reach their nutritional needs; and for small and family farms being squeezed out by powerful food and agriculture corporations,” said Nichelle Harriott, Policy Director at the HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance.

Rollins has given assurances that she will work collaboratively across agencies and to push forward critical programs for the agricultural sector helped secure her confirmation. She 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.