Brooke Rollins confirmed as secretary of agriculture
The Senate has confirmed Brooke Rollins as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Glen Rose, TX, native is the 33rd U.S. secretary of agriculture.
“Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture," said House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn (GT) Thompson. "Brooke is a proven leader who understands the challenges facing farmers, ranchers and rural communities. She is taking the helm of USDA at a critical juncture for our producers, and her experience and commitment to agriculture will be invaluable as we work together to strengthen the farm economy. I look forward to working with Secretary Rollins to deliver results for rural America and the hardworking men and women of agriculture.”
“We welcome Brooke Rollins’ confirmation and look forward to working with her to address the critical challenges confronting American farmers and rural communities," said National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles. "Her leadership at the USDA is essential as the U.S. potato industry and our specialty crop allies work to pass a new farm bill, secure essential funding for research and market development projects, open new foreign markets, and support the growers and workers who are delivering nutrition to dinner tables around the world.”
Rollins has served as the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. She was formerly director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president for strategic initiatives in the White House under Donald Trump, where she also previously served as director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, Rollins developed and managed the transformational domestic policy agenda.
Rollins graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development and was the first female to be elected student body president.
After earning her Juris Doctor with honors at the University of Texas School of Law, she served as Gov. Rick Perry’s policy director before running the Texas Public Policy Foundation for 15 years. At TPPF, Rollins elevated a small policy organization to a national force and redefined the possibilities for a state-based think tank — setting the model and aspiration for the America First Policy Institute.
