The Senate Agriculture Committee held a quickly scheduled hearing last week to examine the Trump Administration’s proposal to reorganize the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The plan calls for USDA to relocate thousands of staff from Washington, D.C., to five regional hubs: Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Fort Collins, and Salt Lake City. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden defended the move as a cost-saving measure aimed at bringing USDA employees closer to rural communities and reducing reliance on underused federal buildings. He cited potential savings of up to $4 billion and emphasized that many USDA employees already work remotely. However, senators expressed frustration over the lack of prior consultation with Congress, prompting Committee Chair Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) to call the hearing on short notice.
View More