USDA Nominees Grilled About Cuts to Research and Regulatory Staff

Key Takeaways

Senate Ag Committee questioned nominees about staffing shortages in the USDA following recent buyouts.
1,600 staff members have left USDA research agencies, impacting critical programs.
Nominees acknowledged the need to prioritize hiring and resource allocation to maintain efficiency.

Scott Hutchins, nominee for USDA’s undersecretary for research, education, and economics, faced scrutiny from the Senate Agriculture Committee regarding staffing losses at the Department of Agriculture. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota highlighted the department’s significant reduction of 1,600 employees in research agencies, with 1,200 from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), representing an 18% cut. She emphasized that such reductions hinder research efforts, regardless of advancements in technology like artificial intelligence.

Hutchins, who served in the same department during Trump’s first term, responded by stating that the USDA must prioritize its research programs and consider hiring additional staff. He acknowledged the importance of strategically directing available resources toward high-impact projects that benefit farmers, ranchers, and the public.

Further concerns were raised regarding staffing in the USDA’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which has seen a 50% reduction in its workforce. Dudley Hoskins, nominated for undersecretary of regulatory and marketing programs, admitted he did not have the current staffing figures but reiterated the network’s vital role in animal disease detection and surveillance. He also cited Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ assurance that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would maintain sufficient workforce levels.

Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota expressed worries about staff shortages affecting ARS facilities in her state. Similarly, Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico noted a lack of border inspectors as the state grapples with an outbreak of the New World screwworm. In light of these concerns, Hutchins promised to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the more than 90 ARS facilities to determine their needs and staffing adequacy.

Overall, USDA has seen a loss of about 15,000 employees in two rounds of buyouts this year. Rollins indicated that a third round is unlikely, although a reorganization plan is set to be released soon, aiming to transfer some employees from the national capital region. The committee emphasized the urgent need for effective recruitment and management strategies to address these staffing challenges and sustain essential services within the Department of Agriculture.

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