The Trump administration’s picks for two top posts at the Agriculture Department squeaked through the Senate Agriculture Committee on a party-line vote Monday.
The Republican-led committee advanced Stephen Vaden for deputy Agriculture secretary and Tyler Clarkson for general counsel on identical 12-11 votes, with all Democrats in opposition.
Monday’s committee action clears the way for confirmation votes on the Senate floor, where the nominees appear on their way to approval, if along largely partisan lines.
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“This is a critical step to ensure USDA has the personnel to fulfill the president’s strategy to meet the needs of farm families, ranchers and rural communities,” said panel Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) in a news release.
