Democrats are fighting over who should be appointed as Secretary of Agriculture as Biden has yet to name his nominee.
A fight is brewing among Democrats as to who will President-elect Joe Biden pick to be his Secretary of Agriculture.
The Secretary of Agriculture will serve as the Head of the Agriculture Department. This Department oversees different agencies, including the United States Forest Service, the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Food Stamp Program.
Last Thursday, James Clyburn, South Carolina Representative, told the New York Times that Biden should instead name Rep. Marcia Fudge.
Rep. Fudge represents an urban district in Ohio where ag is the #1 industry.
Fudge told @natashakorecki she has the backing of some ag groups as well as anti-hunger groups, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs. https://t.co/HPIfN8dVsD
— Helena Bottemiller Evich (@hbottemiller) November 11, 2020
Clyburn also stated that the Department of Agriculture needs to undergo a drastic change. He claimed that the Department of Agriculture currently prefers “big farming interests” over “little farmers in Clarendon County, South Carolina, or food stamp recipients in Cleveland, Ohio.”
In addition to this, the South Carolina Rep. also alleged that the Department is “disproportionately focused on majority white states in the Midwest, with the food and agricultural needs of the rural south largely neglected.”
Clyburn later said to the publication that he is sick and tired of the people saying that rural America is only in Iowa and Nebraska. He continued by stating that Rural America is Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. He further added that “it was black rural voters who helped Biden carry Georgia in the general election.”
Rep. Marcia Fudge is a black woman currently leading the nutrition and oversight panel on the House of Agriculture Committee. Other than Rep. James Clyburn, the New York Times said that Fudge also has support from Biden’s two closest advisors.
Meanwhile, there are more conservative names that are being thrown around, including among them is Former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp.
Heitkamp is being promoted as the possible contender. Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is also considered as a possible contender. Vilsack served as the Secretary of Agriculture for the Obama Administration from the year 2009 up until 2017.
Rep. Clyburn also speculates that the Biden administration might choose Vilsack to serve in this position again, stating the Biden’s presidency should not be considered a “third term” for the Obama Administration.
The cracks are forming already:
“I don’t know why we’ve got to be recycling… There’s a strong feeling that Black farmers didn’t get a fair shake” under Vilsack.- James Clyburnhttps://t.co/I23qff4cGg— JAFO (@CCnutson) November 27, 2020
Clyburn told The Times, “I don’t know why we’ve got to be recycling.” He further added that he has a strong feeling that black farmers could not have a fair share while Vilsack was serving as the Secretary of Agriculture.
While President-elect Joe Biden is yet to pick his nominee, the Democrats are also ready fighting over whether they should push progressive policies during the Biden Administration or appeal more to centrist Independents and Democrats.
This dispute arises after many moderate Democrats in swing states imputed House losses on far-left politicians who are pushing for
defunding of the police.
Including among the far left-wing lawmakers who are forcing to defund police departments and the abolition of cash bail.
Despite all the noise in the Democrat party as to who should be appointed in the Secretary of Agriculture’s position, Biden has not yet indicated who he will tap for this position. Also, he has not yet indicated how progressive Biden Administration will be.
As of the moment, Biden’s current cabinet picks are leaning towards the establishment center-left. Other than this, the President-elect has also stated that he will not appoint Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders to cabinet posts as he will need them in the Senate.
