On July 11th, the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Ms. Xochitl Torres Small as the Deputy Secretary of the USDA.
Born in Oregon, Ms. Torres Small is a granddaughter of migrant farm workers, a lawyer by profession (Univ. New Mexico). Her immediate past position was the USDA Undersecretary for Rural Affairs. In her new appointment she will be responsible for all ongoing operations at the USDA including advising the Secretary.
Prior to joining USDA, Ms.Torres Small was a United States Representative for the 2nd Congressional District of New Mexico, the fifth largest district in the country. As a Member of Congress, she served on the House Agriculture Committee, the House Armed Services Committee and as Chairwoman of the Oversight, Management, and Accountability Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. Ms. Torres Small was the first woman and first person of color to represent a New Mexico in the House.