Brooke Rollins' Hearing Set
Hundreds of Ag Groups Write Senators Backing Ag Secretary Nominee Brooke Rollins
On Wednesday, 427 national and state agricultural groups and agribusinesses sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee supporting Brooke Rollins' nomination as Agriculture secretary and calling on the committee and entire Senate to "promptly confirm" her for the Cabinet post.
The Senate Agriculture Committee has set Rollins confirmation hearing for Jan. 23.
The groups noted they represent "farmers, ranchers, growers, hunters, forest owners, conservationists, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, renewable fuel producers and agribusinesses nationwide -- encompassing all aspects of American agriculture, food nutrition and rural America."
A native of Glen Rose, Texas, Rollins is the founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and America First Works (AFW), a pair of organizations that have championed Trump's agenda.
Rollins, 52, also was a member of President-elect Donald Trump's Economic Advisory Council in 2016. Rollins was director of the Domestic Policy Council, director of the Office of American Innovation, and assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives under Trump.
America First Policy Institute became a fixture in Trump's inner circle. Politico wrote a profile of Rollins last October highlighting how Rollins rose from "a little-known aide in the Trump White House to the driving force behind the Trump transition effort." In the process, Rollins and her group, AFPI, became a major force for drawing both policy and nominees for Trump's second term. Rollins had been considered a potential chief of staff.
"President Trump thinks very highly of Brooke," a senior Trump adviser told Politico, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He has said, 'She could run any company in the country.'"
The agricultural groups, in their letter highlighted Rollins has been involved in agriculture since an early age, hauling hay and raising livestock. She was involved with 4-H and FFA. The letter stated Rollins continues to raise livestock and her children are involved in FFA showing steers.
"Throughout her career, she has brought the experience of the American farmer and rancher to her work," the groups stated in their letter to senators. The letter added she advocated for agricultural policies when serving former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. "She also championed rural priorities across the federal government as President Trump's former director of the United States Domestic Policy Council."
Noting her relationship to Trump, the groups stated, "Her close working relationship with incoming President Trump will ensure that agriculture and rural America have a prominent and influential voice at the table when critical decisions are made in the White House."
Pointing out the "many difficulties facing America's farmers and rural America," the farm groups stated Rollins' is "needed now at USDA to advocate for a new farm bill, stabilize an agricultural economy in decline, support the full food and agriculture and forestry value change, and continue American agriculture's long history of providing the most secure, affordable and nutritious food supply in the world."
The groups added they look forward to Rollins "bringing her unique experience and capabilities to tackle the challenges facing agriculture and rural America once confirmed."
The hearing date leaves open a question of whether Rollins will be confirmed or able to speak at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting, which is Jan. 25-28 in San Antonio.
Rollins was president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation from 2003-2018. During her tenure, the Texas Public Policy Foundation issued policy papers critical of ethanol as an alternative fuel. The papers stated ethanol was harmful to global food security and called for Congress to reverse policies on ethanol. The Houston Chronicle reported in December that the Texas Public Policy Foundation also published a report on "corporate welfare" that called for the elimination of a state loan program for farmers, though the group's request to drop the loan program was never acted upon.
Rollins was in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday where her mother, state Rep. Helen Kerwin, was sworn-in as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Rollins posted on X, "What. A. Day. At the Texas Capitol for my 77 year-young single mama's swearing in! Texas House -- you will never be the same! I just couldn't be more proud of you, HelenKerwin4TX. YOU DID IT. And in doing it you have inspired your family and your many, many fans more than you will ever know. Now let's go MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com
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