Senators Amy Klobuchar and Peter Welch, along with 20 colleagues, raised concerns on July 27 about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to reorganize its Rural Development mission area.
In a letter addressed to Deputy Secretary Vaden, the senators said, “We write with significant concern regarding the reorganization of the Rural Development mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rural communities, small businesses, and families will lose access to important services if the proposed reorganization plan moves forward.” The letter highlighted that Rural Development supports agriculture by administering grants and loans for rural businesses, providing financial support for rural housing, financing construction of health clinics and daycare centers in rural areas, and leading infrastructure projects related to water, electric service, or broadband.
The senators further said that “the Rural Development agency must have the capacity to process applications and disburse funds,” but noted that staff depletion has already impacted support for rural America amid rising prices due to tariffs and foreign conflicts. They pointed out that last year alone saw a 36 percent reduction in staff within the mission area—nearly a third with more than 20 years’ experience—and warned that further cuts would result from requiring 60 percent of National Capital Region staff to relocate to St. Louis or Dallas.
According to recent court filings referenced in their letter, internal memos set a goal of reducing staff by 50 percent through forced relocations because “a significant number of employees will decline geographic reassignments.” The senators said this approach could prevent appropriated funds from reaching intended beneficiaries due to lack of adequate staffing.
The group requested responses from USDA by August 5 regarding analyses conducted on staffing cuts’ impacts; current staffing levels; hiring plans; training for new hires; recruitment strategies; and how technology modernization efforts would be managed within budget and timeline constraints.
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee—which Klobuchar serves as Ranking Member—operates as a standing committee affiliated with the U.S. Senate. It manages legislation related to agriculture, nutrition programs like food security and hunger initiatives both domestically and internationally. The committee includes 23 members: 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats. Its history includes shaping price supports during the Great Depression era as well as addressing international trade issues in agriculture during later decades, according to the official website.