The United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is the second-highest ranking official in the United States Department of Agriculture, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Secretary becomes Acting Secretary of Agriculture in the event of the Secretary's resignation, death, or otherwise inability to fulfill the duties of the position. The Deputy Secretary performs whatever duties are prescribed to him or her by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is paid at level II of the Executive Schedule, meaning he or she receives a basic salary of $177,000 annually.
The position of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture was originally called the Under Secretary of Agriculture, until the title was changed in 1976. Previous Deputy Secretaries by recency include Chuck Conner (September 2005 - January 2009), Jim Moseley (August 2001 – April 2005), Richard Rominger (May 1993 – January 2001), Ann Veneman (1991–1993), and Jack Parnell (1989–1991).
In February 2009, President Obama nominated Kathleen Merrigan to be the next Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and she was confirmed as Deputy Secretary by the Senate on April 2, 2009. She was sworn into office on April 8, 2009.
Read more about United States Deputy Secretary Of Agriculture: List of Deputy Secretaries of Agriculture, External Links
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