Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick reported today that, “President Donald Trump tapped former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to be his agriculture secretary six weeks ago, but the administration still hasn’t formally provided the Senate with the paperwork for the nomination.
“The delay is frustrating farm-state senators, who represent many of the core voters who helped elect Trump.
“‘I don’t know yet,’ Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said Wednesday when asked about Perdue’s paperwork, which Roberts needs before he can schedule a confirmation hearing. ‘I wish to hell I did. We need a champion for agriculture, we need him on board.'”
The AP article noted that, “The White House said the paperwork, including ethics forms and an FBI background check, is coming soon. The only other nomination that hasn’t been sent to Capitol Hill is that of Alexander Acosta, who was nominated to be labor secretary on Feb. 16 after the withdrawal of the original nominee, Andrew Puzder.
“Senators say they haven’t been given an explanation for the delay involving Perdue.”
Today’s article added that, “The delay comes as some farm-state lawmakers question whether Trump is paying enough attention to rural areas, which overwhelmingly voted for him.”
