CONFIRMATION HEARING SET FOR USDA SECRETARY
News Date January 24, 2008
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a confirmation hearing January 24 on the nomination of former North Dakota Governor Ed Schafer to be USDA Secretary. The confirmation process is expected to move smoothly and several lawmakers have expressed hope that Schafer can be approved by the full Senate in time for the State of the Union address next week.
Schafer was nominated by President Bush last October 31 to replace former USDA Secretary Mike Johannes who resigned in September. Acting USDA Secretary Chuck Conner has been leading the department since that time. Schafer served as North Dakota's governor from 1992 to 2000. In 1999, he served as a co-chair on agriculture for the National Governors Association. Schafer also was a co-founder and co-chair of the Governors Biotechnology Partnership which was established to increase public understanding and support for the benefits of agricultural biotechnology. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)