Aug 13, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments U.S. Senate Confirms Glen Smith as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development

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

Jun 12, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments Senate Agriculture Committee Advances USDA Rural Development Nominee

On June 8, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted 12 to 11 along party lines to advance the nomination of Glen Smith to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Undersecretary for Rural Development. The nomination now moves

May 22, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments U.S. Senate Confirms Stevan Pearce to Lead Bureau of Land Management

On May 18, the U.S. Senate confirmed Stevan Pearce as director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of a larger package of nominees approved by Senate Republicans. Mr. Pearce

Mar 27, 2026

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments Congressman David Valadao Appointed to Serve on House Agriculture Committee

On March 25, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman, Glenn “GT” Thompson (D-PA), announced that Representative David Valadao (R-Hanford) has been appointed to the House Committee on Agriculture. Representative Valadao is

Nov 07, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments BLM Director Nominee Announced and USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Nominee Appears Before U.S. Senate

On November 5, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to consider the “Nomination of Glen Smith to serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development” and President Trump nominated Stevan Pearce to be director of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management

Oct 10, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments U.S. Senate Confirms En Bloc Nominees, Including Busterud (EPA) and Boren (USDA)

On October 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed a package of en bloc nominations by a vote of 51–47. The bloc of over 100 nominees included

Aug 01, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments U.S. Senate Ag Committee Advances Nomination of Michael Boren for USFS

On July 29, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on Monday advanced the nomination of Michael Boren nomination to oversee

Jun 13, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments   |   federal issues U.S. Senate Confirms Stephen Vaden as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture

On Tuesday June 10, in a 51-44 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Stephen Vaden to serve as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. In this role, Mr. Vaden will oversee

Apr 11, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments U.S. Senate Advances Wildlife Service and EPA Water Office Nominees

On Wednesday, April 9, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted to advance two nominees to the full Senate for consideration

Apr 04, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal appointments Public Land Use for Housing a Key Issue in Nomination Hearing for DOI Deputy Secretary Pick Katherine MacGregor

On April 2, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Katherine MacGregor for the role of Deputy Secretary of the Interior. During the hearing