The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on Feb. 2 for Tom Vilsack, President Biden’s nominee for agriculture secretary, said the panel’s Democratic and Republican leaders on Wednesday. The hearing creates the possibility of a Senate vote on Vilsack before the impeachment trial of former president Donald Trump begins on Feb. 9.
If confirmed, Vilsack would serve as agriculture secretary for the second time. He was secretary throughout the Obama years, taking office on Jan. 20, 2009, the same day as President Obama.
Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican Sen. John Boozman announced the hearing jointly. Consideration of Vilsack’s nomination has been delayed because there is no power-sharing agreement between Republicans and Democrats for this legislative session.