In a visit to Iowa last week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue vowed to keep up the pressure to secure approval of Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey’s nomination for the newly-created post of under secretary for farm production and conservation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“I’m very disappointed in what’s happening now,” Perdue said of the hold on Northey’s Senate confirmation by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. “Everyone acknowledges that Bill is a worthy candidate and we need his leadership in the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” the ag secretary said during an early morning press conference held Nov. 10 at a ...