The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry convened on July 30, 2025, to discuss the controversial USDA reorganization proposal, which has raised significant concerns among lawmakers and stakeholders alike. The meeting highlighted the potential negative impacts of the proposed changes, particularly in light of past relocations that have already strained the agency's effectiveness.

Senators expressed alarm over the previous relocation of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which a 2023 Government Accountability Office report described as disastrous. The report indicated that ERS produced fewer key reports and that NIFA experienced delays in processing grants due to the move. With 15,000 USDA employees already lost and farmers facing challenges from tariffs, the senators argued that the new reorganization could exacerbate existing issues, leaving farmers without timely economic information and researchers without critical funding.

Concerns were raised about the potential closure of long-standing research labs, which have been vital for agricultural innovation. The meeting underscored the urgency of maintaining robust research capabilities to combat animal and plant diseases, especially as the agricultural sector is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy.

Moreover, the reorganization plan was criticized for being developed without input from Congress or the stakeholders it aims to serve. Lawmakers expressed frustration at learning about the proposal only minutes before its announcement, highlighting a lack of transparency and collaboration from the administration.

As the discussion unfolded, senators emphasized the need for the USDA to effectively respond to challenges such as wildfires, administer nutrition programs, and uphold civil rights. The meeting concluded with a call for greater accountability and a commitment to ensuring that the USDA can continue to support rural America and its farmers in a time of uncertainty.