President Biden Nominates Xochitl Torres Small for Under Secretary of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture

President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Xochitl Torres Small for Under Secretary of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture. The granddaughter of migrant farmworkers, Xochitl Torres Small grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico. In 2018, Torres Small became the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico’s second congressional district, the largest district that isn’t its own state. During the pandemic, Rep Torres Small helped secure tens of millions of dollars for broadband in New Mexico through the United States Department of Agriculture's ReConnect Program. Torres Small has raised the alarm on broadband disparities through serving on House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC)’s Rural Broadband Taskforce and as an original cosponsor of the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Torres Small helped build the case for dairy farmers harmed by Canada’s violation of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, and drafted legislation to help local farmers and rural communities invest in infrastructure to navigate new markets. Throughout her career, Torres Small has employed her experience organizing in vulnerable, rural communities to achieve lasting investments that combat persistent poverty.