John Boozman Questions USDA Nominee About Possible Reorganization Plans To Maximize Efficiency

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During a Senate Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition Committee hearing prior to the congressional recess, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) questioned Stephen Vaden, nominee for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, about potential reorganization of the department.

Transcript

00:00Well, thank both of you for your testimonies.

00:04Before I ask my questions, I would like to add letters of support from various farm groups

00:08for Judge Vaden and Mr. Clarkson's nomination of the record.

00:12Without objection, so ordered.

00:23We're going to...

00:24Okay.

00:25Judge Vaden, if confirmed, you will be the second highest ranking official at the Department of Agriculture.

00:32How were your previous experiences in the private sector, at the department, and on the federal bench serve you in this new role?

00:41Well, Senator, when it comes to my private sector experience,

00:44we have to remember that people engage in farming in order to make a profit.

00:49And in order for them to feed their families.

00:51And the profits that they make feed the businesses and help others feed their families in rural communities.

00:59When I think of my home county of Obon County, Tennessee,

01:02it is the farmers that kind of spur all the economic development that exists there.

01:07And so it will allow me to keep in mind that when we're considering rules and regulations,

01:13these are going to have an effect on real people who are trying to make a living.

01:17And it is those people, their experiences, and their needs that will be first and foremost in their mind.

01:22And, of course, as a judge, I have to keep in mind the questions that you, the Congress,

01:27statutorily charge us with answering.

01:28And we have to remain faithful to the text of the law as you have passed it.

01:36Mr. Clarkson, as the committee continues drafting legislation like the Farm Bill,

01:41we rely on technical assistance from the department and OGC.

01:44How do you view OGC's role in providing technical assistance,

01:50and will you commit to providing timely technical assistance to all members of the committee?

01:56Thank you for the question, Senator.

01:59I pledge to provide prompt TA to the committee in all instances.

02:04Providing technical assistance to this committee, particularly in a Farm Bill year,

02:09is of huge importance and one of the things that I think is one of the most valuable contributions

02:14the Office of General Counsel can make.

02:16So I stand ready, in the event I'm confirmed,

02:18to ensure that technical assistance is timely and responsive.

02:22Judge Aveden, given you have previous experience with internal reorganizations while at USDA,

02:29do you anticipate any future reorganizations that might be necessary to maximize the efficiency

02:37of the department?

02:39And if so, will you commit to working with and communicating with Congress as any such actions

02:46are contemplated?

02:47Well, Senator, when it comes to the actions of the department,

02:51we need to be communicating with you on a regular basis,

02:53whether it's about reorganizations, policy matters, or anything else.

02:57Because ultimately, all the department does is carry out the will of Congress.

03:02The United States Department of Agriculture has no independent authority separate of Congress.

03:07It's not established by the Constitution.

03:09It is a creature of statute.

03:11And so you have my word that we will be in constant communication,

03:14and my office in particular will be in constant communication with you about the department's initiatives.

03:20Very good.

03:21Mr. Clarkson, how do you foresee the Supreme Court's decision in Loper-Brite

03:25impacting the work of the department, including technical assistance provided to Congress

03:32as we work to draft a farm bill?

03:34Thank you for the question, Senator.

03:35Senator, I think Loper-Brite puts additional stress on the words that you all put on a page.

03:43It is, agencies will have less deference from the judiciary with respect to agency expertise.

03:50And so that means that in the event we're proceeding with the rulemaking,

03:54we have to be all the more exacting in hewing closely to the statutory text.

03:58And with respect to TA, it's all the more important that we provide fulsome, responsive TA

04:04to equip you all to write clear, intelligible statutes that give us the proper guidance

04:11and direct us in a way that's sustainable in court.

04:15Very good.

04:16Senator Klobuchar.

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