Julie Callahan’s nomination for chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will head to the Senate floor after the Senate Finance Committee voted to advance her nomination Wednesday.
Committee members voted 18-10 to advance her nomination, with three Democrats voting with their Republican colleagues in her favor – Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island., Mark Warner of Virginia, and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. Warnock also serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
In comments before the committee earlier in the day, Committee Chair Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, cited Callahan’s support among U.S. ag industry groups and “decades of expertise” working in agriculture and international trade when he urged his colleagues to support her nomination.
If approved, Callahan would move to the chief ag negotiator position from her current role as assistant USTR for agricultural affairs and commodity policy. She has worked at the agency’s agricultural affairs since 2016, after holding roles in the Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture Department.
“If confirmed as chief agriculture negotiator, she will ensure the important interests of American agriculture are championed on the world stage,” Crapo said.
Meanwhile, Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., told his colleagues Wednesday morning that he had lingering reservations about Callahan’s nomination. He pointed to an exchange during her hearing last month in which New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan asked Callahan whether she would commit to following the law should President Donald Trump issue a directive to act illegally.
“I cannot envision any situation where that would come to pass,” Callahan told Hassan.
Wyden said Wednesday that he has “strong concerns” around Callahan’s refusal to commit to “follow the law.”
Warnock declined to explain his “yes” vote when asked by Agri-Pulse after the executive business meeting.
Senators also advanced Jeffrey Goettman’s nomination for deputy USTR for the Western Hemisphere, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, environment, labor and industrial competitiveness.
For more news, go to Agri-Pulse.com.