Senators scrutinize USDA reorganization plan

USDA Plans Office Consolidation Sparks Senate Hearing

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden faced questions from the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday regarding the USDA’s plans to downsize its Washington offices and shift staff to satellite locations across the United States.

The committee’s criticism largely centered on whether Congress had enough notice about these changes. Tensions arose for Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the committee chair, particularly related to a recent phone hearing that was scheduled with little notice.

During a back-and-forth with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Vaden indicated that the department is willing to consult with agency employees and relevant stakeholders. However, several Republicans expressed frustration over the lack of prior consultation regarding the announcement.

“Ultimately, it’s what Congress decides from a licensing and budget standpoint,” Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) remarked. “Are we working through the process, or is this just the outcome served to us as a fait accompli, without discussion?”

According to Hoeven, he and Vaden are scheduled to meet later this week.

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) also voiced her disappointment about the plan’s development but mentioned that she agrees with the USDA’s overarching goals.

The USDA’s recently unveiled plan suggests relocating most staff to five key hubs located in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado, and Utah, while closing many federal office buildings in Washington, D.C.

Vaden defended these changes as a strategy to attract more agency employees. Many, he argued, were already working remotely but would benefit from being closer to farmers and various stakeholders. He claimed that this restructuring could save the federal government around $4 billion, in addition to the voluntary departures offered to numerous agency employees.

In May, at least 15,000 Agriculture Bureau employees agreed to a delayed resignation as part of an initiative from the previous administration aimed at reducing staff numbers.

“We need more agencies to align with the lead shown by Secretary Rollins and the USDA,” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) commented during the hearing.

This plan also includes the consolidation of various regional offices, which Vaden referred to as “middle managers.” Among the reductions is the regional office of the National Forest Service, responsible for managing wildfires and other critical aspects of U.S. forests.

Several senators, including Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), expressed concern about the decision to eliminate regional offices, particularly that of the Agricultural Research Services branch in Stoneville, Mississippi.