On Thursday, October 7, 2021 the U.S. Senate confirmed Xochitl Torres Small unanimously to serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. Torres Small’s nomination by the White House was announced this past June, followed by a hearing from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in July.

Committee Chairwoman Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich) stated in an announcement from the Committee, “As Under Secretary for Rural Development, Xochitl Torres Small will build on her legacy as a champion for small towns and rural communities – much like the one she grew up in in New Mexico. She will give a voice to 60 million rural Americans at the highest levels at USDA. I look forward to working with her to address critical rural needs including high speed internet, infrastructure, and good paying jobs.”

Jennifer Horton, New Mexico Rural Water Association President and Executive Director for Doña Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association, expressed her congratulations on the confirmation by stating, “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Rural Water Association, I am very pleased that Xochitl Torres Small has been confirmed as the new USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. I have known and had the pleasure of working with Xochitl since she was in law school, helping small rural water systems with legal matters, to serving as Congresswoman for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District. Her appointment by President Biden will help to ensure that rural communities will be supported by someone who understands their needs. Xochitl has come from rural America and has worked for and served our communities her entire career.  Her focus has always been on making rural communities better. She will be a great asset for rural America, with the experience, passion, and vision to provide leadership at this critical time.”

NRWA CEO Matthew Holmes seconded Horton’s congratulations stating, “I echo New Mexico Rural Water Association President Jennifer Horton’s sentiments completely. NMRWA has a history of working with Ms. Torres Small on rural issues that greatly benefitted the residents of the state. The National Rural Water Association stands ready and able to assist Under Secretary Torres Small as she performs her responsibilities and duties serving rural communities, especially assisting economically disadvantaged areas that are harder to serve.”

The National Rural Water Association is excited to work with Torres Small in her position as Under Secretary!

To view the announcement from the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry click here.