On August 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed Glen R. Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development by a vote of 51–47. As Under Secretary, Smith will oversee the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Business-Cooperative Service. A fifth-generation farmer and former chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration, Smith assumes the position after USDA Rural Development had operated under Acting Under Secretary Todd Lindsey since September 2025. During his November 2025 confirmation hearing, Smith outlined his priorities for USDA Rural Development, including expanding value-added agriculture, improving rural broadband connectivity, and increasing the availability and affordability of rural housing. He also committed to reviewing USDA broadband programs to reduce duplication while maintaining high-speed service standards, keeping rural housing programs within USDA, and addressing barriers affecting rural water and wastewater projects. Smith has expressed support for expanding markets for timber and biomass and emphasized the role of Rural Development financing, technical assistance, broadband, and telehealth in supporting rural hospitals.
For more information, contact RCRC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.