The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has sent the nomination of Stephen Alexander Vaden to the full Senate for confirmation.

Vaden, of Tennessee, has been nominated to be general counsel of the Department of Agriculture. 

“I am pleased to report the Senate Agriculture Committee has swiftly, in a bipartisan fashion, approved another USDA nominee,” said committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas. “To best serve rural America, USDA needs all hands on deck, and our committee is doing its part to make that happen.” 

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, ranking member of the committee, said she voted for Vaden, but it wasn’t an easy decision.

“With the 2018 Farm Bill right around the corner, it is critical that the Agriculture Committee continues to work in a bipartisan manner to fill leadership positions at USDA,” Stabenow said. “However, I remain concerned about Mr. Vaden’s past legal work and certain personnel practices at USDA. I will be seeking more information about those issues before I can consider supporting Mr. Vaden on the floor.“

The Committee held a hearing on the nominee on Nov. 9. 

Source: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry