Lisa Mensah, nominated to become Agriculture undersecretary for rural development, was waiting for Senate confirmation. The Agriculture Committee approved the nomination unanimously on Wednesday, said a spokesman, and chairwoman Debbie Stabenow held out the possibility of a floor vote before the Senate recessed, if paperwork could be completed quickly. Mensah worked on economic development at the Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation.
Four members were appointed to the National Organic Standards Board, said USDA. They are Ashley Swaffer of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Tom Chapman of Belmont, California, Lisa de Lima of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Paula Daniels of Los Angeles.