Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III is the former secretary of agriculture. He was the 31st person to serve in the position. He was selected by President Donald Trump to serve as secretary of agriculture on January 18, 2017. He was sworn in to office on April 25, 2017.
The secretary of agriculture is responsible for providing "leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management."[1]
Perdue served as the 81st governor of Georgia from January 13, 2003, to January 10, 2011.
Biography
Perdue served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1971, Perdue earned a bachelor's degree and his doctor of veterinary medicine (D.V.M.) from the University of Georgia. He worked as a veterinarian before becoming a small business owner.[2]
Political career
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 2017-2021
Perdue was selected by President Donald Trump to serve in his Cabinet as secretary of agriculture on January 18, 2017.
On March 30, 2017, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced Perdue's nomination to the full Senate by a vote of 19-1. On April 24, 2017, Perdue was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 87-11. He was sworn in to office on April 25, 2017.[2][3][4][5]
Confirmation vote
| Nomination tracker | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate: Sonny Perdue | ||
| Position: Secretary of Agriculture | ||
| Confirmation progress | ||
 | Announced: | January 18, 2017 |
| Hearing: | March 23, 2017 |
| Committee: | Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry |
| Reported: | March 30, 2017 19-1 |
| Confirmed: | April 24, 2017 |
| Vote: | 87-11 |
Senate vote
On April 24, 2017, Perdue was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 87-11.[6]
| Sonny Perdue confirmation vote, April 24, 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Votes for |
Votes against  |
Total votes |
 Democrats |
36 | 10 | 46 |
 Republicans |
50 | 0 | 50 |
 Independents |
1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Votes | 87 | 11 | 98 |
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee held a confirmation hearing for Perdue on March 23, 2017. The committee approved Perdue's nomination for secretary of agriculture on March 30, 2017, by a vote of 19-1. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) was the only member who opposed Perdue's nomination.[7]
Governor of Georgia, 2003-2011
Perdue served as the 81st governor of Georgia from January 13, 2003, to January 10, 2011. Perdue was elected governor in November 2002. He defeated incumbent Roy Barnes 52 percent to 46 percent in a three-way race. Upon his inauguration as governor in January 2003, Perdue became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin Conley at the end of Reconstruction in the 1870s.
In November 2006, Perdue won re-election as governor. He defeated Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor and Libertarian candidate Garrett Michael Hayes.
On October 26, 2010, Governing magazine named Perdue as one of eight "Public Officials of the Year."[8] Each year since 1994, Governing has selected a handful of state and local officials to honor for standout job performance. The Public Officials of the Year program "recognizes leaders from state, city and county government who exemplify the ideals of public service."[9]
Georgia State Senate, 1991-2002
Perdue served as a member of the Georgia State Senate from the 18th district from January 9, 1991, to January 9, 2002. He won election as a Democrat, but he switched to the Republican Party in April 1998.
Noteworthy events
Department of Agriculture budget
- Regarding President Donald Trump's proposed 2018 budget, Perdue issued the following statement on May 23, 2017: "President Trump promised he would realign government spending, attempt to eliminate duplication or redundancy, and see that all government agencies are efficiently delivering services to the taxpayers of America. And that’s exactly what we are going to do at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Having been the governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011 – not during the best economic times – we did what it took to get the job done, just like the people involved in every aspect of American agriculture do every single day. While the President’s budget fully funds nutrition programs, wildland fire suppression and food safety, and includes several new initiatives and increases for Rural Development, whatever form the final budget takes, it is my job as Secretary of Agriculture to manage and implement that plan, while still fulfilling the core mission of USDA."[10]
Farm bill
- On April 18, 2018, after the House Committee on Agriculture approved the 2018 farm bill, Perdue issued the following statement: “I commend Chairman Conaway and the House Committee on Agriculture for passing a comprehensive Farm Bill out of the Committee today. The bill closely aligns with the Farm Bill Principles released by USDA in January and is nearly identical to the legislation first introduced last week. We are encouraged that the Committee heard the voices of their constituents, who want to preserve and enhance programs contained in the 2014 Farm Bill, as I learned in my conversations with farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers in 35 states in the last twelve months. As the bill heads to the floor, I hope the House recognizes the long-term certainty it provides for America’s farmers, just as it preserves nutrition programs for people who need help feeding themselves and their families. USDA stands ready to provide technical assistance as the bill progresses in the House, and we look forward to working with our friends in the Senate as well. As Republicans and Democrats have farm interests in their own districts and states, we are hopeful that the 2018 Farm Bill can move forward in a bipartisan manner.”[11]
SNAP
- In a USDA announcement seeking feedback on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, Perdue discussed implementing work requirements for able-bodied individuals to receive SNAP benefits. He said, "Long-term dependency has never been part of the American dream. USDA’s goal is to move individuals and families from SNAP back to the workforce as the best long-term solution to poverty. Everyone who receives SNAP deserves an opportunity to become self-sufficient and build a productive, independent life. ... Too many states have asked to waive work requirements, abdicating their responsibility to move participants to self-sufficiency. Past decisions may have been the easy short-term choice, but USDA policies must change if they contribute to a long-term failure for many SNAP participants and their families. ... The SNAP safety net must be there for those unable to work due to disability or another legitimate reason. But for the able-bodied, we must reduce barriers to work, and hold both individuals and states accountable for participants getting and keeping jobs.”[12]
Trade
- See also: Federal policy on trade, 2017-2020
- On April 18, 2018, Perdue criticized China’s decision to impose duties on U.S. sorghum imports. He said, “The international grain market is about the freest market there is, and it is ludicrous to even mention ‘dumping,’ because China can buy product from anywhere they choose. This is clearly a political decision by the Chinese and we reject their premise. Our sorghum producers are the most competitive in the world and we do not believe there is any basis in fact for these actions. As we explore options, we are in communication with the American sorghum industry and stand united with them. The fact remains that China has engaged in unfair trade practices over decades and President Trump is correct in holding them accountable. We remain committed to protecting American agricultural producers in the face of retaliatory measures by the Chinese.”[13]
- On March 28, 2018, Perdue praised the modifications to the U.S.-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). He said, “I applaud President Trump, Ambassador Lighthizer, and the U.S. trade team for partnering with the Republic of Korea to modernize KORUS and protect the strong agricultural components that were built into the pact. Korea has long been an important trading partner for U.S. agriculture and currently ranks as our 6th-highest value market. U.S. agricultural exports to the country have increased 95 percent over the past decade and we look forward to continued growth. Through this new agreement in principle, progress was also made with regard to Korea’s customs verification procedures, which have been a substantial concern related to exports of U.S. agricultural and industrial goods.”[14]
- On January 8, 2018, while speaking at the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., Perdue urged Canada to complete an update to NAFTA. He said, "To get a deal we need all sides to seriously roll up our sleeves and get to work. We have put a number of proposals on the table to modernize NAFTA, and critically for agriculture, to address key sectors left out of the original agreement — dairy and poultry tariffs in Canada. Now we want to see our negotiating partners step up and engage so we can get the deal done."[15]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Perdue is married to Mary Ruff Perdue. They have four adult children and fourteen grandchildren. Sonny and Mary have also served as foster parents for eight children awaiting adoption.[2]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ USDA.gov, "About the U.S. Department of Agriculture," accessed January 15, 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 USDA.gov, "Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue," accessed January 15, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Perdue clears Senate Agriculture Committee," March 30, 2017
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Senate confirms Sonny Perdue as agriculture secretary," April 24, 2017
- ↑ USDA.gov, "Sonny Perdue Sworn in as 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture," April 25, 2017
- ↑ Senate.gov, "On the Nomination (Confirmation Sonny Perdue, of Georgia, to be Secretary of Agriculture)," April 24, 2017
- ↑ Politico, "Perdue clears Senate Agriculture Committee," March 30, 2017
- ↑ Jonathan Walters, "The Businessman," October 2010
- ↑ Governing, "GOVERNING Announces 2012 Public Officials of the Year," October 19, 2012
- ↑ USDA.gov, "Statement from Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on the Proposed FY 2018 Budget," May 23, 2017
- ↑ USDA.gov, "Perdue Statement on House Committee Passage of 2018 Farm Bill," April 18, 2018
- ↑ USDA.gov, "USDA Seeks Ideas to Help SNAP Participants Become Independent," February 22, 2018
- ↑ USDA.gov, "Secretary Perdue Statement Regarding Chinese Duties on U.S. Sorghum," April 18, 2018
- ↑ USDA.gov, "Secretary Perdue Statement on Agreement in Principle on KORUS," March 28, 2018
- ↑ The Hill, "Perdue calls on Canada to fully engage in NAFTA talks," January 8, 2018
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Vilsack |
U.S. Department of Agriculture 2017-2021 |
Succeeded by - |
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