White House Picks Xochitl Torres Small for Agriculture Deputy Secretary Role

 The White House said Wednesday that it intends to nominate Xochitl Torres Small as deputy secretary for the U.S. Agriculture Department, promoting the former New Mexico congresswoman to the No. 2 post.

Ms. Torres Small, who now serves as the undersecretary for rural development, is poised to rise within the USDA as the agency prepares to dive into negotiations with Congress over the next farm bill. The current five-year farm bill, the cornerstone of U.S. agricultural policy, expires on Oct. 1.  

Ms. Torres Small, 38 years old, must be confirmed by the Senate...

 If confirmed, Ms. Torres Small will replace Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh, who announced in late January that she was leaving USDA to spend more time with her family. Ms. Bronaugh was the first Black person and first person of color to serve in her role, according to the USDA. Ms. Bronaugh has also co-chaired the agency’s Equity Commission at a time when the USDA has worked to turn around decades of discrimination against Black farmers.

Ms. Torres Small was first confirmed to serve as the undersecretary for rural development in October 2021. She served in Congress for one term, from 2019 to 2021, representing a competitive New Mexico district that former GOP President Donald Trump won in 2016...WSJ