Senate panel approves agriculture secretary nomination
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved President Donald Trump's pick for agriculture secretary, moving the nomination to the Senate floor.
The panel backed former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on a voice vote on Thursday.
In his confirmation hearing last week, Perdue stressed that he has worked with Democrats in the past and sought to reassure farm-state senators in both parties who are fearful about the impact of President Donald Trump's proposed deep cuts to farm programs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He also told senators concerned about Trump's trade agenda that "trade is really the answer" for farmers dealing with low crop prices. He said he would be a "tenacious advocate and fighter" for rural America when dealing with the White House and other agencies.