Nominee Linda Blanchard says Rome UN food agencies need reform while protecting U.S. farmers
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Summary
Linda Blanchard, nominated to be U.S. representative to UN food and agriculture agencies in Rome, told the Senate committee she will press for efficiency and accountability and weigh programs by whether they make the U.S. "safer, stronger and more prosperous." Senators pressed her to defend food-security programs amid proposed U.S. funding cuts.
Linda Blanchard, President Trump's nominee to represent the United States to the UN food and agriculture agencies in Rome, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that she would prioritize efficiency and accountability in the Rome‑based agencies while protecting American farmers and food‑security outcomes if confirmed.
Blanchard said the Rome agencies "directly affect U.S. farmers and producers as billions of dollars of American agriculture exports move through their programs," and that the United States must ensure that UN organizations the U.S. engages with are "efficient and effective stewards of U.S. taxpayer dollars." She repeated Secretary Rubio's three‑question framework: "Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?"
Senators pressed Blanchard on the human consequences of any funding reductions. Lawmakers described recent and projected cuts to international food programs and asked how the U.S. should balance fiscal scrutiny with humanitarian need. Blanchard said she supports closer partnership with U.S. farmers and with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and highlighted public–private partnerships as a possible avenue to preserve impact while improving oversight.
Committee members also discussed the leadership of FAO and the upcoming 2027 director‑general election. Senators asked whether the United States would work with allies to present a competitive candidate to ensure management aligned with U.S. interests. Blanchard said she plans to build alliances at post and work with partners to identify and support candidates who can win and lead effectively.
Blanchard cited her prior diplomatic experience in Slovenia and her nonprofit work addressing hunger and agriculture. She described food security as a life‑or‑death issue for hundreds of millions worldwide and said the mission of the Rome agencies matters both for humanitarian outcomes and for U.S. export interests.
The hearing included no committee vote; senators left the record open for additional written questions.