Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved Robert Lighthizer as U.S. Trade Representative and sent his confirmation consideration onto the full Senate. This week the full Senate also confirmed Sonny Perdue as Agriculture Secretary. Iowa Corn Growers Association President Kurt Hora says the movement of those two key positions is critical for agriculture.

Hora says it will take time for Perdue to get his appointees at USDA in place. Once that’s done he hopes to work with the Ag Secretary on corn grower’s concerns including the new farm bill, trade and funding for ethanol and infrastructure.

Hora is hoping that because of the overwhelming support in the Finance Committee for Lighthizer that the full Senate will quickly approve his confirmation.