The United States Department of Agriculture formally announced today that Stephen Vaden will serve as the General Counsel to the organization. The announcement was deemed to be a long-awaited confirmation of the Vanderbilt and later Yale Law School graduate who hails from Union City, Tennessee.

Sonny Perdue, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, praised the confirmation, which took place earlier today, Nov. 27.

“I’m pleased that Stephen Vaden has been confirmed by the Senate to fill the important role of General Counsel at USDA, where he has been hard at work as Principal Deputy since early in the Administration,” Purdue said. “He will continue to provide important legal advice and services to the department and our agencies as they operate the programs that are so important to our customers. Stephen’s roots on a working farm in Tennessee and expertise in the law will well serve the people of American agriculture.”  

Perdue also said that three more of the USDA’s nominees will receive a Senate hearing this week.

“We eagerly await their confirmation as well,” he said. “President Trump has nominated excellent people to fill leadership roles at USDA and we look forward to their joining the team soon.”