U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition, of which Thune is a member, approved former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue’s nomination to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Perdue’s nomination now heads to the full Senate.
“Gov. Perdue is a farmer, veterinarian, successful agribusinessman, and long-time public servant,” said Thune. “He understands the challenges farmers and ranchers face in South Dakota and around the country. In today’s weak agriculture economy, he is exactly the kind of common-sense leader we need at the Department of Agriculture, and I look forward to supporting his nomination when it comes to the Senate floor.”
At Perdue’s confirmation hearing, he committed to working with Thune on the current and future farm bills, national forest management, and ensuring there is a strong renewable fuel standard. Perdue has also expressed interest in working with Thune on his bill that would create the Soil Health and Income Protection Program, which is part of Thune’s broader farm bill effort.