By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, April 24, 2017, US Senator Luther Strange (R) joining 86 other Senators colleagues in voting to confirm former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue (R) as Secretary of Agriculture.
Senator Strange said, “We have waited long enough for this critical opportunity, and I was proud to cast my vote today for Governor Sonny Perdue. In him, the Department of Agriculture has a principled leader, and Alabama farmers have a loyal advocate who understands the unique concerns of Southern growers. As a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I look forward to working with the Secretary on the upcoming farm bill as the voice of Alabama farmers.”
Strange that after nearly 100 days into the new administration, USDA is under new leadership at a critical time for American growers and producers.
US Representative Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) wrote to constituents, “Great news for Alabama! Today the Senate confirmed Governor Sonny Perdue as the new Secretary of Agriculture. Gov. Perdue is the son of a farmer and has led several agriculture companies. He’s the first southerner to hold this position in more than two decades, and I’m excited to see what he will accomplish for agriculture in Alabama and the rest of our country.” “I believe he will do a great job!”
The Whitehouse was excited to have the confirmation victory even if it was delayed. Ray Starling with the President’s Council of Economic Advisors told Whitehouse reporters: “Of course, you know Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. We are very much looking forward to him being confirmed tonight. He will have a busy day tomorrow beginning with his swearing-in first thing tomorrow morning, then going to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a speech to the employees there in the patio — that inner sanctum, if you will, of the USDA property over there. I believe at the end of that event they will have Georgia peach pies for folks who partake in that, so that’s a nice touch. Secretary Perdue — or, by tomorrow, Secretary Perdue we will call him — he is a farmer and has been engaged in agriculture and agribusiness for a number of years, so we’re certainly proud to have him at the table.”
Perdue was confirmed in an 87 to 11 vote.
Now that Perdue has been confirmed, that leaves only Labor Secretary nominee, Alexander Acosta, as the last member of Trump’s cabinet to be confirmed.
Agriculture and forestry remains Alabama’s largest industries.
Senator Luther Strange faces a special election this year with a special GOP Primary on August 15. The GOP nominee will then face a General Election on December 12, 2017.