Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 11/28/18

Other USDA nominees on deck today could also face scrutiny, particularly over their corporate connections.

If confirmed, Mindy Brashears would take over the long-vacant role of undersecretary for food safety at a time when foodborne illnesses affect 1 in 6 Americans each year. The Texas Observer reported that she earned at least $320,000 from ties to five companies while conducting academic research into food safety.

Scott Hutchins, picked for undersecretary for research, education and economics, doesn't come with the same issues that faced the previous nominee, Sam Clovis . (For one, Hutchins is a scientist — and an entomologist to boot.) But he's likely to be questioned about his ties to DowDuPont as well as his opinion on Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue's decision to move two agencies outside of the Washington area, Catherine writes.

On Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Stephen Vaden as general counsel for USDA, our Liz Cramptonreports.