WASHINGTON – Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, Chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations, sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in advance of a Senate hearing this morning to review the nomination of Naomi Earp as USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. Chair Fudge issued the following statement detailing her concerns with Ms. Earp’s nomination:

“I wrote to Secretary Perdue this morning because I have serious reservations about Ms. Earp that need to be formalized.

As Chair of the Subcommittee charged with oversight of the Department, I am concerned by Secretary Perdue’s decision to appoint Ms. Earp to a senior level position that does not require Senate approval, while her confirmation remains in pended status.

I have in my letter asked the Secretary to provide additional details on Ms. Earp’s would-be role and responsibilities, the organizational structure of her mission area, specific details on the decision-making behind USDA’s recent civil rights work, and details on Ms. Earp’s plans to address allegations of harassment and workplace discrimination, if confirmed.

I remain committed to holding USDA accountable. We must continue to push for strong leadership and civil rights enforcement throughout the Department to ensure workers’ rights are protected to the full extent and letter of the law.