April 24, 2017

Manchin Votes to Confirm Agriculture Secretary Nominee Sonny Perdue

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today issued a statement on his vote to confirm the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary nominee, Sonny Perdue.

“As a former Governor, I understand how crucial it is for an executive leader to have his team in place. As the nation’s Secretary of Agriculture, I have confidence that Governor Perdue will work tirelessly to ensure that duplicative and harmful regulations that affect our farmers and agribusinesses are removed.

“During my conversation with Governor Perdue, he recognized the importance of food programs to states like West Virginia and Georgia. Food insecurity is a major concern for many West Virginia families. About 282,900 West Virginians are considered food insecure, 82,220 of which are children. In fact, in 2015, it is estimated that food shortages caused West Virginia families to miss 49,943,800 meals. The Mountaineer Food Bank and Facing Hunger Food bank distribute food to all 55 counties in West Virginia and were able to provide 15,318,254 lbs of food in 2015, in part because of USDA programs. USDA’s food and rural development programs are vital to ensuring economic resilience for West Virginia and I believe that Governor Perdue can lead on this issue.

“Governor Perdue has demonstrated that he will support landowners in their conservation efforts and management of natural resources. I believe Governor Perdue understands the importance of sportsmen and sportswomen to our heritage and to our economy and I believe we can work together to ensure that we are expanding opportunities for these groups. The prosperity of rural America should be a priority for this Administration and Governor Perdue will help ensure that forested states like West Virginia are able to unlock greater economic potential and are not left behind. West Virginia should be a big part of that conversation and I look forward to working with Governor Perdue to make that happen.”

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