Secy Perdue greets McKinney and Censky before Senate hearing (USDA Photo)

Over five months after he took office, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue finally has some help on the way.

Yesterday, the Senate voted to formally approved the nominations of Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

“I am pleased that the U.S. Senate was able to work in a bipartisan and swift manner to confirm Stephen Censky and Ted McKinney,” said Senate Agriculture Committee chair Pat Roberts (R-KS). “Secretary Perdue, help is on the way.”

“I commend the Senate for confirming these two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees, who will provide the steady leadership we need at USDA,” said Secretary Perdue in a statement. “We eagerly await their arrival at USDA, and urge the Senate to continue to act on other nominees who are awaiting confirmation.”

The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing with both nominees on September 19. Tomorrow, the committee will hold a hearing on the nominations of Greg Ibach of Nebraska to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and Bill Northey of Iowa to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. No hearing has been scheduled yet for Sam Clovis of Iowa, President Trump’s controversial pick for Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.