[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 185 (Monday, November 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7077-S7078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 Nomination of Stephen Alexander Vaden

  Mr. CORKER. Madam President, I rise today to speak in support of 
Stephen Vaden to be the next General Counsel of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture. I know this is a position that you care about deeply as 
the Presiding Officer. Having been brought up and worked on a family 
farm that has operated for generations in West Tennessee, Stephen has 
critical insights into the issues facing the agriculture community. His 
experience in law and understanding the needs of farmers will be an 
important asset at the USDA and in Congress's work to help rural 
America prosper and grow.
  Under Stephen's tenure as Acting General Counsel since March of last 
year, the Office of General Counsel has promoted Department 
accountability and improved its responsiveness to civil rights issues, 
and it is my belief that Stephen will continue to do so once confirmed.
  I am pleased to see that the Senate is acting on Stephen's 
nomination, and I urge my colleagues to support his confirmation.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, within a few minutes, the Senate will 
vote on ending debate on the nomination of Stephen Vaden to be the 
General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I am glad to see 
that. I am here to strongly support Mr. Vaden and urge my colleagues to 
support him.
  Stephen Vaden grew up on a family farm in Union City, TN, way out in 
the west end of our State, and he has some academic credentials for 
this job which are also very strong. He attended Vanderbilt University 
and Yale Law School. He has had two strong mentors--Judge Julia Gibbons 
of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, who was once my 
counsel when I was Governor of Tennessee, and Judge Hardy Mays of the 
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. He practiced 
with two distinguished law firms in Washington, DC. He has hands-on 
academic credentials. He has hands-on farming credentials. He has a 
strong background in legal training.
  Mr. Vaden has the strong support of his Congressman, Mr.  David 
Kustoff from West Tennessee. This is Davy Crockett's old congressional 
district in Tennessee.
  Tennessee Farm Bureau President Jeff Aiken said that Mr. Vaden ``has 
a passion for agriculture that can't be taught but is necessary'' for 
the job of General Counsel.
  Secretary Perdue, Agriculture Secretary, said that Mr. Vaden ``has a 
firm grasp of the legal issues facing American agriculture, and very 
importantly, understands the breadth and complexity of the regulatory 
burdens

[[Page S7078]]

placed on our producers.'' The Secretary finished by saying: ``Our 
farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers will be well served by his 
counsel.''
  I know the distinguished Presiding Officer has a strong interest and 
a hands-on background in agriculture, and so do many other Members of 
this body on both sides of the aisle. I am happy to strongly recommend 
Stephen Vaden to my colleagues. I urge a ``yes'' vote on ending the 
debate. Once that has ended, I urge a ``yes'' vote on confirmation of 
his nomination by President Trump.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.