[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 10009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   NOMINATION OF MICHAEL J. McCORD TO BE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 
                             (COMPTROLLER)

                                 ______
                                 

 NOMINATION OF R. JANE CHU TO BE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT 
                              FOR THE ARTS

                                 ______
                                 

NOMINATION OF TODD A. BATTA TO BE AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to the consideration of the following nominations, which the 
clerk will report.
  The bill clerk read the nominations of Michael J. McCord, of Ohio, to 
be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); R. Jane Chu, of Missouri, 
to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts; and Todd A. 
Batta, of Iowa, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture.
  Mr. HARKIN. Madam President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Todd A. Batta of Iowa on his confirmation as Assistant 
Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations. I can personally 
attest that he is very well qualified and will undoubtedly do an 
outstanding job in his new position.
  It has been a pleasure for me to know Todd and his family for many 
years. He grew up in Lanesboro, IA, where his parents, Rick and Wanda, 
currently reside. His aunt, Bev Schroeder, was a member of my staff for 
over 20 years, both in Iowa and here in Washington, working on 
education policy and other matters. In fact, Todd's first political 
work was to help hand out Harkin information at parades when he was 
just three or 4 years old.
  Todd began serving on my staff as an intern in the summer of 2001, 
after receiving his B.A. from Winona State University, and later worked 
for me as a researcher, deputy scheduler, and scheduler. In 2005, he 
moved from my personal office to work as a professional staff member on 
the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, during 
the time I served as either ranking member or chairman.
  It is Todd's good fortune to be married to Adrianna Logalbo. They 
began dating when Todd was on my staff. So, as I say, Todd and his 
family have been good friends to me for a very long time.
  From 2009 to 2011, Todd was a legislative assistant on the staff of 
Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, handling agriculture and agriculture 
appropriations for Senator Kohl. He then served as special assistant in 
the Office of Congressional Relations at the Department of Agriculture, 
and since 2012, Todd has been senior advisor to the Secretary of 
Agriculture. In this role, he provides strategic advice and guidance to 
the Secretary regarding USDA's budget, legislative, and regulatory 
agenda.
  Given Todd's strong personal qualities, experience, and proven 
abilities, I could not have been happier when I learned that President 
Obama had chosen him to serve as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. I 
look forward to continuing to work with Todd and know that he will do a 
tremendous job in this new role.


                       Vote on McCord Nomination

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, if there is no 
further debate, the question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to 
the nomination of Michael J. McCord, of Ohio, to be Under Secretary of 
Defense (Comptroller)?
  The nomination was confirmed.


                         Vote on Chu Nomination

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question 
is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of R. Jane 
Chu, of Missouri, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the 
Arts?
  The nomination was confirmed.


                        Vote on Batta Nomination

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question 
is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination of Todd A. 
Batta, of Iowa, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture?
  The nomination was confirmed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, with respect to the 
nominations just confirmed, the motions to reconsider are considered 
made and laid upon the table and the President will be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action.

                          ____________________