Xochitl Torres Small Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Xochitl Torres Small as deputy secretary of the Agriculture Department, a much-anticipated outcome that nevertheless took awhile to come to fruition.

As previously reported by The Well News, President Joe Biden nominated Torres Small to the post in February after the resignation and departure of Jewel Bronaugh.

The Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously reported out her nomination on May 17, but her final confirmation was apparently delayed by a single, unidentified Republican senator who is reportedly a critic of how the department currently operates.

But her vote finally came before the Senate, and Torres Small effectively sailed through, garnering the support of 84 senators, while only eight voted against her confirmation.

Now that she is deputy secretary, Torres Small will oversee strategic planning for the sprawling department, which employs more than 100,000 people, most of them working in the field rather than in D.C.

That arrangement will likely sit well with Torres Small, who told the Ag Committee during her nomination hearing that she sees the department as a “customer service agency” for farmers and the rural communities in which they live and work.

Torres Small became under secretary for rural development in late 2021, having formerly served in the House as the representative of a largely rural New Mexico district. 

While in Congress, Torres Small was seen as a centrist, and she served as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and as chairwoman of the Oversight, Management, and Accountability Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. 

Xochitl was the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. Prior to that, she was a water rights lawyer.

“Xochitl Torres Small has dedicated her career to serving the agriculture industry and the American people, and I have witnessed her lead with energy, authenticity and personal investment that I know will leave an impact on USDA for years to come,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shortly after the Senate vote.

“As the granddaughter of migrant farm workers, Xochitl experienced firsthand the challenges that many producers and rural communities face day in and day out,” he continued. “The hard work and determination she witnessed informs her commitment to public service and her respect for those we serve. 

“Under her leadership, our Rural Development team has made record progress working to drive down energy costs, improve access to high-speed internet, expand processing capacity to help America’s livestock producers attain fairer prices for their work, and provide affordable housing options for rural residents,” he said.

“At this critical time when USDA and the Biden-Harris administration are laser focused on mobilizing historic investments to rebuild our economy and secure healthier, more vibrant communities for future generations, I am grateful to have Xochitl’s partnership at the helm of the People’s Department,” Vilsack concluded.

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