Tom Vilsack is promising to use the U.S. Department of Agriculture to “aggressively address” global warming and energy independence.
In an opening statement prepared for his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday, President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for agriculture secretary also said he would use the department to “create real and meaningful opportunities” for farmers and to guarantee that rural communities grow and prosper.
The former Iowa governor provides no policy specifics in the relatively brief statement, just more than two pages in length. A copy of the statement was obtained by The Des Moines Register on Monday.
Vilsack’s hearing is before the Senate agriculture committee, which is chaired by Iowa Democrat Tom Harkin.
Senators typically use such hearings to impress their priorities on incoming members of the new administration. The nominees usually avoid discussing specific plans.
Vilsack said the USDA faces historic challenges because of the economic slowdown, global climate change and growing world demand for food.
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