The first order of business for the Senate when it returns on April 24 from a two-week recess will be a vote on the nomination of Sonny Perdue for agriculture secretary. The last of President Trump’s nominees for the cabinet, Perdue, a former two-term governor of Georgia, is arguably the last controversial nominee for the cabinet and has moved steadily, if slowly, toward confirmation.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won agreement for the vote on Wednesday evening. Farm groups hoped for a roll call this week, but the top priority for floor action is the nomination of Neil Gorsuch for Supreme Court justice.
Under the unanimous agreement, the Senate will vote April 24 at 5:30 p.m. ET. If confirmed, Perdue would have the latest starting date for an agriculture secretary in an incoming administration since USDA became a cabinet department.