Perhaps i should give this pen to sonny purdue. What do you think . [applause] chester fire thank you very much everybody. Secretary purdue good afternoon, everybody. It has been a big day from a having been sworn in by Justice Thomas as secretary of agriculture this morning. Im ready to go to work. Withd a wonderful meeting the president where he a intricate knowledge of the issues of agriculture having to do with trade, labor, regulatory reform, as well as infrastructure. These people from all over the United States are legitimate agriculturists who help communicate to the president the needs of american agriculture in a very sincere way, and he was very sincere in his response regarding hosting them here today and signing an executive order regarding agriculture and rural prosperity. He has charged us with interagency cooperation that will enable us to work cross agency in this task force and report back to him did no less than 180 days all the barriers to rural prosperity and agric
On cspan2 if it becomes available. Yesterday, former georgia governor sonny perdue was on capitol hill for his confirmation hearing to be the next agricultural secretary. This is about two and half hours. Good morning members of the committee. I call this meeting of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Administration and for street to order. This morning we welcome governor sonny perdue. The president s nominee for u. S. Secretary of agriculture. Members of this committee have great appreciation for the Farmers Ranchers and consumers and other stakeholders that are directly affected by the decisions made by the secretary. The department of agriculture is made up of 29 agencies and offices. It employs nearly 100,000 men and women that work in all 50 states around the globe. The department provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, World Development, nutrition, Scientific Research and related issues that impact americans every day. Throughout our nations history, our far
Nuclear ought to be in the mix. Cspan. Org. On our home page and by searching the video library. President trumps nominee for agriculture secretary, former georgia governor, sonny purdue, testified at his confirmati confirmation hearing. He was questioned about proposed white house budget cuts to farm programs, Crop Insurance, Forest Management, immigrant labor and farm bill reauthorization. Good morning, members of the committee. I call this meeting of the Senate Committee on agriculture, nutrition and forestry to order. This morning we welcome governor sonny perdue, the president s nominee for u. S. Secretary of agriculture. Members of this committee have great appreciation for the farmers, ranchers and consumers and other stakeholders that are directly affected by decisions made by the secretary. The department of agriculture is made up of 29 agencies and offices. It employs nearly 100,000 men and women that work in all 50 states and all around the globe. The department provides lea
Leap on Scientific Research and related issues that impact americans virtually every day. Throughout our nations history, our farmers, ranchers and folks in Rural America have survived drought, disease, floods, and tornadoes and fires and whatever else Mother Nature throws at them. Year after year, they produced the safest most abundant food and fiber supply in the world, however today, growers from cross the country are facing high prices. These strong producers need a strong market for their goods. The importance of trade for agriculture, our agriculture industry cannot be overstated. And if that was not enough, over the last previous years, farmers and ranchers and Rural Businesses have been burdened by regulations all across the federal government. I have heard time and time again as well as many members of this committee about the costly and hard to understand regulations that endanger the ability of our producers to stay in business. This committee will continue its efforts to ma
Communicate to the president the needs of american agriculture in a very sincere way and he was very sincere as his response regarding hosting them here today and signing an executive order regarding agriculture and rural prosperity. Hes charged us with inner Agency Cooperation that will enable us to work cross agencies in this task force to report back to him in no less than 180 days all the barriers to rural prosperity and agriculturial productivity. So im looking forward to that. We had a big charge today in many ways and im excited about the opportunity, ready to go to work, roll up our sleeves and make sure that we make american agriculture as great as it can be in the future for a rural prosperity and for jobs. So ill be happy to answer any questions and but your experts are behind me and well probably call on them to answer some of your questions as well. So thank you very much. Mr. Secretary, what did you say to farmers who are concerned about trade prospects and perhaps some u