Why it Matters
At a Nov. 10 hearing, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) pressed the nominee for USDA's top trade post, Gregory Ibach, for a yes or no on funding Food for Peace, but did not get one. The program is one the White House proposed eliminating, and Ibach answered only that he would follow the law.
Ibach's nomination was one of four before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee in Hearings to Examine Pending Nominations.
The Big Picture
Ibach, the nominee for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs, Department of Agriculture, appeared with three nominees to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) board, namely Carl Bednarski, John Grunewald II and James Russell Middleton.
Agri-Pulse reported that Chairman Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) said bipartisan five-year farm bill talks continue alongside the nominations.
What They're Saying
Warnock asked whether Food for Peace should be funded. Ibach said "It would be my obligation to follow the law." Warnock answered "So that's a yes," and Ibach repeated, "I will follow the law."
Warnock then said the administration was making "an immoral choice." Ibach had earlier said the program is "obviously new to USDA."
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the ranking member, said the administration's tariffs "have been very, very bad for farmers." She asked Ibach to "restore some sanity and stability" to trade policy.
Ibach said the U.S. should "press on China to try to relist" beef plants that have been delisted. He said $17 billion of a $30 billion China agreement is earmarked for agriculture.
Boozman closed by saying, "Food security truly is national security." He also asked Ibach to work on rice imports, which he said exceed 30% of U.S. consumption.
Political Stakes
Ibach's confirmation depends on the Senate. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced him and said the committee supported him unanimously in 2017.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) urged the Senate to "move quickly to confirm Greg Ibach." The National Pork Producers Council said it joined other groups urging the committee to advance the nomination.
Boozman congratulated Klobuchar on her election as Minnesota's governor. He said he hoped to pass the farm bill before she assumes the role.
The Bottom Line
The four nominations remain before the committee. Boozman said he is committed to advancing the five-year farm bill before the end of the year.
For now, the record on Ibach's nomination is his answer on Food for Peace and his pledge to follow the law.
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