Officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new Secretary of Agriculture, President Trump’s nomination has finally come to fruition after several months. The former Governor of Georgia was sworn in yesterday, and addressed his staff for the first time.
Perdue received a vote of 87 to 11 to obtain the confirmation, according to news source USA Today. His official stature comes a little over three months after first receiving the nomination, which was announced one day before the President’s inauguration.
ABC News predicted that Perdue’s main point of focus over the next year will be working with Congress to coordinate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s input on the next five-year farm bill which is set to expire next year. In his new position, Perdue will be in charge of 100,000 employees, as well as the U.S.’s food and farm programs.
Yesterday, President Trump also reportedly signed an executive order to promote “agriculture and rural prosperity,” in addition to hosting a roundtable discussions with 15 farmers at the White House, according to USA Today.
Perdue was born in Perry, Georgia, and served as the 81st Governor for the state from 2003-2011, as well as having been a Member of the Georgia Senate from 1991-2002.
Perdue is now the 31st Secretary of Agriculture of the U.S.
