Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced Texas Tech Professor Mindy Brashears at her confirmation hearing in support of her nomination as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety at the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Click HERE to watch.

Remarks As Prepared:

Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar, and distinguished members of the Committee:

It is both an honor and a privilege to introduce to you today a dedicated public servant, a world-class scientist, and a true champion for American agriculture – and, by the way, a very dear friend for whom I have the utmost respect – Dr. Mindy Brashears.

Raised on a cotton farm in Wheeler, Texas, Dr. Brashears embodies the values of small-town USA: hard work, humility, and integrity. Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s in food technology from Texas Tech and both a master’s and Ph.D from Oklahoma State. 

Dr. Brashears is no stranger to this Committee – she was confirmed for this same role in the first Trump administration, where she led important reforms to modernize inspection systems, strengthen public health protections, and ensure that America’s food supply remained the safest in the world – an achievement that will no doubt continue under her strong leadership.

Over the last several years, Dr. Brashears has served at my alma mater, Texas Tech University, leading groundbreaking research that has reduced e-coli and salmonella in our food supply.

As one of the foremost experts in the world on food safety, she has not only used her expertise to help the United States, but to support many of our allies around the globe.

But, more important than her accomplishments and accolades, Mindy is a woman of deep faith and great character, a devoted wife and mother, and a proud Rural American.

She and her husband, Dr. Todd Brashears, also a professor at Texas Tech, have raised three daughters – Bailey, Reagan, and Presley. Together, the Brashears family represents the best of West Texas: a love for God and people, a commitment to serving their community, and a passion for all things agriculture and Rural America.

I assure you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, you will not find a more capable, committed, and trustworthy leader for safeguarding America’s food supply.

For these reasons, I proudly and unequivocally endorse the confirmation of Dr. Mindy Brashears, and urge your support for her as the next Under Secretary for Food Safety at the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thank you for your consideration; I yield back.

###