The U.S. Forest Service’s efforts to fight wildfires in California should not be influenced by politics, President Donald Trump’s chairman of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said at a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Responding to questions from the Senate panel, Major Brooke Brooke also acknowledged Trump Plans to make massive departments and rates It may cause difficulties for the agricultural industry, but the election showed that the public supports such actions.
Rollins, who was appointed by Trump, also served in his first administration to lead a shepherding agency that oversees agriculture, forestry, livestock, food quality and nutrition. If confirmed as agriculture secretary, he would take charge of the agency at a time when many farmers have seen their profits sink and the Forest Service is struggling to fight a wave of wildfires in Southern California.
Trump has it the threat of withholding federal disaster aid Unless California officials from Los Angeles change how the state manages its water resources, California State Rep. Adam Schiff asked if Rollins would commit to equal treatment from the forest service.
“Are you committed to deploying the same emergency resources to fight fires in blue states that would be deployed to fight wildfires in red states?” Schiff asked.
Rollins replied that he did not condone discrimination of any kind.
“Of course, but since you said it, 100% yes,” Rollin said. “Seeing the devastation in your beautiful state has been heartbreaking for all of us, red states or blue states.”
Rollins, 52, is a Texas attorney who served as Trump’s top domestic policy adviser during Trump’s first term and is now president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. He graduated from Texas&M earned an undergraduate degree in agricultural development and then a BA from the University of Texas.
Schiff and other Democrats on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee were also asked by Rollins about Trump’s plan to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants. They noted that high percentages of those who harvest and work in dairy could be forcibly deported, causing a huge labor shortage.
Rollins said he supported Trump’s agenda, but acknowledged it could be difficult for U.S. farmers.
“The president’s vision of a secure border and mass deportation is something I care about,” Rollins said.
While supporting the president’s planned actions, Rollins said he would support efforts to hire more workers, such as making farm programs more efficient for temporary immigrants.
“That’s my commitment, is to help President Trump effectively roll out his agenda while at the same time standing up for agriculture, our farmers and our ranchers across this country if they are affirmed,” he said.
Republicans also raised the issue of tariffs, which Trump has said will encourage foreign investors to bring manufacturing to the US and push other countries to change policies.
Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat, said farmers and ranchers see little hope other than expanding exports. Bennet implored the rollicking case that higher tariffs would destroy efforts to increase exports.
Rollins said he would always speak up for the needs of farmers and ranchers.
“My role is to advocate for my entire agricultural community in the Oval Office, around the table, through the interagency process, and every decision we make over the next four years is being made with those decisions in mind,” Rollins said.
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