Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers Thursday establishing a USDA office in Cuba is his top funding priority. Vilsack testified before the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and during his opening statement said “I start off hoping you will take seriously our request to have a physical presence in Cuba.” Vilsack called Cuba a market American agriculture should dominate, according to the Hagstrom Report. Vilsack hinted that USDA personnel on the ground in Cuba could help answer questions regarding U.S. products, potentially boosting sales. Earlier in the week, Vilsack told the Agriculture Coalition for Cuba he is considering whether checkoff funds could be used to open the office. Vilsack noted three other priorities for the appropriations process, being agriculture research, a pathway to allow free and reduced lunch meals through the summer months and fixing the funding issue with fighting forest fires. The hearing was also marked by statements of praise for Vilsack’s performance in office.