Vilsack confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Ag

              Three weeks after his confirmation hearing, the Senate voted 92 to 7 to approve Tom Vilsack (D-IA) as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Vilsack, who is a former Iowa governor, served eight years in the same position during the Obama administration.

               Vilsack’s confirmation received strong support from Republican senators, including the Iowa contingent. Both Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley voted to approve Vilsack after previously speaking out in support of him during the confirmation hearing.