If confirmed, Rollins would take charge of the agency at a time when many farmers have seen their profits plunge and when the Forest Service is joining efforts to fight a wave of wildfires in

The former White House aide, who served as Trump's domestic policy chief during his first administration, previously served as the general deputy counsel and policy advisor for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

During her confirmation hearing, she emphasized her dedication to agriculture and addressed her stance on ethanol, the Renewable Fuel Standard, tariff impact aid for farmers and Prop 12.

The confirmation hearing for President Trump’s nominee to lead the USDA is underway. During her opening comments before the U.S. Senate Ag Committee, Brooke Rollins of Texas outlined some of her priorities for the department if she is confirmed.

U.S. Department of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins said Thursday she would support giving California the help it needs fighting fires regardless of the state’s political differences with the Trump administration.

Brooke Rollins, the Texas political operative that President Donald Trump picked to lead the Department of Agriculture, faced questions from Republicans and Democrats alike Thursday on how she would protect farmers and ranchers as the new administration moves to impose tariffs on nations around the globe.

Neither of Texas’ two senators serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee. But both Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz introduced Rollins at Thursday’s hearing, calling her a “no-brainer.” Both have known Rollins for decades going back to her time in the Texas governor’s office and leading the Texas Public Policy Foundation.