The United States Department of Agriculture still tries to put top-appointed personnel in position, under Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.
Sam Clovis, of Iowa, is being considered for the Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics position. The Trump Administration nominated Clovis for the position back in July.
The New Secretary and the Republican Establishment is defending Clovis, and Democrats and left leaning agricultural groups are opposing Clovis. Democrats and left leaning agricultural groups say Clovis is unqualified to lead the scientific efforts of the department due to the fact that he is not a scientist.
Clovis had been a radio talk show host, and indicated several years ago that he thought crop insurance was unconstitutional.
Neither side is giving in on either endorsing or opposing his nomination.
Sam Clovis was an early supporter of Donald Trump and is now being considered for a top USDA position.
Spencer Chase from AgriPulse outlines the challenges Clovis faces in getting Senate approval.
?Criticism of the pick was almost immediate,? Chase said. ?Senator Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow said at the time, Clovis seems to lack the necessary agricultural, science and research qualifications that are required by the Farm Bill. Speaking to reporters Monday morning, Perdue said scientific credentials are not the only qualifications of the job.?
?The person that?s the Undersecretary of REE is not going to be doing basic or applied research. That?s not what the job calls for,? Perdue said. ?Frankly, it manages our grant proposals and our relationships with our land-grant universities, as well as our agricultural research services to make sure that our American producers are receiving the best-applied research they can through an extension service, delivering them the best product they have. I think that?s one of the successes that we?ve had, and I think we?ll continue to see success with Sam Clovis as the Undersecretary of REE.?
?Asked about a CNN report featuring quotes from old Clovis blog reports, Perdue dismissed its significance,? Chase said.
?It?s amazing how the media, even in my case, goes backs years. Any type of allegation that has ever been there is dredged up. Sam Clovis is a very smart individual, very committed to the success of agriculture, knowledgeable in many areas, and I fully support his nomination,? Perdue said.
Senator Chuck Grassley defended the Clovis? nomination during his news call with agricultural reporters.
?He?s an economist, so it?s pretty important isn?t it to have an economist head up an agency where it has both science and economics in its title,? Grassley said. ?I feel very strongly in supporting Clovis for this position.?
Grassley said the vote will be down party lines and he thinks the Republicans will prevail.
