[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6142266,"mediaKeyId","5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2","parentId",5559319,"title","Senate hearing probes USDA plan to move 2,600 headquarters jobs to five regional hubs","audioSeconds",7035,"startMs",1140000,"endMs",8175000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2&start=1140&end=8175","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2/thumbnail_1140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6142266/Senate-hearing-probes-USDA-plan-to-move-2600-headquarters-jobs-to-five-regional-hubs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142266-0b47e240777c4e18483167c1861f64a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432718&Signature=LTpq1x8VuHBlcbkIhN0f1oqwJSJztXtZcBCD6UjZpXoQ4UhPQQsY3lyLjHRE~aoirhlWokeKvujPztAkCGfPrTzvKdYEvWvsrYoGywreBzEmAcp9fi3iiLnlNyKIvNW0BsxflV4zwjyeQRb2hLjFyjE7GuNl4-OnOdWhTUOIkfQiGJDQSA55Mu9n125ECjeDaeHBdMNCh3ew48uhOcJkBUE~CVzxffHcePbx324HEQw67zQYuPKk0qwn5bDIOHXj6ubn37AIzuLMW1xqUPsCMJ0qA0AEcCMNPMqtqMDr2-oJKR-hTJsbznzMZXmsNDF9sE~gXmCzJoNHg8xVy2tuyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry","date","2025-07-30T00:00:00Z","article","Chairman Bozeman convened the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on short notice to review the Department of Agriculture’s reorganization proposal and to question how it will affect services to farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

The central element of the proposal, Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden told the committee, is “relocating 2,600 employees from the National Capital Region to 5 hubs around the country.” Vaden said the move is intended to reduce costs, improve service by putting more employees closer to the field and to address a congressional requirement on building occupancy. “Not a single one of USDA's buildings in the National Capital Region meet this congressionally mandated 60% occupancy rate,” he said, citing the USE IT Act as the legal driver for consolidation.

Why it matters: senators on both sides endorsed the goal of strengthening USDA’s field presence but pressed for details on how the plan would affect programs that deliver emergency farm aid, wildfire response, nutrition assistance and research. Ranking Member Senator Amy Klobuchar called the plan “half baked,” raised concerns about earlier relocations that produced service disruptions, and urged protection of USDA’s boots-on-the-ground capacity. Vaden said the memorandum is a first step and that a 30-day consultation period will follow before implementation.

Most contested elements
- Scope: Vaden said the department has 4,754 facilities where employees report to work and that the secretary’s plan proposes vacating four National Capital Region sites. He framed that choice as compliance with the USE IT Act’s 60% occupancy requirement.
- Timeline and process: Vaden said the department will honor the statutory 30‑day consultation period, will consult with mission areas and General Services Administration on available real estate in hub regions, and will publish a phased implementation timeline after those discussions.
- Savings claims: the department estimated net savings of roughly $4 billion driven by reduced headcount costs, deferred-resignation savings (about $1.9 billion net) and an estimated $2.2 billion in deferred maintenance liability avoided by vacating four capital‑region buildings.

Wildfire and Forest Service issues: several senators pressed Vaden about wildfire response and the Forest Service. He said the secretary’s memorandum protects the Forest Service fire lab and that Forest Service fire assets were explicitly considered when selecting Fort Collins and Salt Lake City as hubs. Vaden also acknowledged the administration’s budget proposal to centralize federal wildland firefighting capabilities, a separate—ongoing—proposal pending congressional consideration.

Next steps and oversight: Vaden said the memorandum contains built‑in flexibility and that he has delegated authority to adjust the plan as consultation proceeds. Multiple senators requested written analyses and impact assessments on program delivery, personnel effects, and disparate impacts; Vaden committed to follow‑up briefings and to provide additional information during the consultation period.

Ending: The committee left the hearing record open for additional written questions and materials; no votes or formal committee actions were taken at the hearing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Review of the USDA Reorganization Proposal July 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chairman Bozeman convened the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to review the USDA’s proposed relocation of about 2,600 National Capital Region employees to five regional hubs.","taxTitle","Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1985,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6142252,"Senators press USDA on workforce losses, buyouts and potential disparate impacts of relocation",3429,1380000,4809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2&start=1380&end=4809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2/thumbnail_1380000.jpg","/articles/6142252/Senators-press-USDA-on-workforce-losses-buyouts-and-potential-disparate-impacts-of-relocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142252-b83f71feb91b96d03db1b18de357b037/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432718&Signature=ZKQX~DoqjR4~EDQzRl3rl0oUJxNqM2HxTYvaTdxHK~ZqNqXS4BBMA0dkFHCY9ylknl1DcZpWRw1wEZNMy-5r3qr07fkOLM~FVLMxJteWNwbsNmBJmpQUe~M3MVksg5ehCVW3mdEcRvdQvtyE2AAkkG7Ips4rT6ZXDdMgTUAZVy1JRlneL-lrD59qydm3bHr-7CS1nOvAk8EfGdD00Btznid2M5Ru18LrrGS~BTRNf8aF4ylNInDzULTj9MOIUt9Nkpek0SzxqWd1z8sUJMf7OC3QyDX19wIm6e~3LbA78-url7hLkh8xpuWjG8NGErzYzsozwVii9tONw8xCkXvgzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators used the hearing to probe how the department will handle personnel issues raised by the reorganization: voluntary buyouts, deferred‑resignation programs, rehiring decisions and possible disproportionate impacts on particular employee groups.

Key personnel numbers and concerns: senators repeatedly cited that roughly “15,000 employees” had left USDA overall (a figure referenced in opening remarks), that “1,600 employees have already left USDA research agencies,” and that some counties and state offices have lost dozens of staff. Several senators described employees feeling compelled to accept buyouts or buyouts being presented under threat of termination. Senator Peter Welch, among others, described instances where employees “felt the ax was coming down” and chose buyouts under pressure.

Department responses on workforce protections and assistance: Vaden said the memorandum “puts a thumb on the scale against future RIFs” and that RIFs would require his personal approval. He described relocation assistance available within statutory caps and noted that the department will provide options under VERA/VISAs where applicable. On disparate impact and diversity concerns, Vaden declined to commit to a preexisting disparate‑impact study, saying the plan had not been finalized, though he said civil‑rights responsibilities would be considered and employees would be treated equally. Several senators asked explicitly for disparate‑impact analyses; one senator characterized prior relocations of ERS/NIFA as producing a 65% decline in Black staff at that agency.

Unions and consultation: multiple senators and committee staff noted letters from the American Federation of Government Employees opposing the reorganization and requesting an impact assessment. Senator John Fetterman and others asked for enhanced union engagement; Vaden agreed to meetings and to provide relocation details and to work with unions during the consultation period.

Tribal relations and civil‑rights consolidation: Vaden said the memorandum calls for consolidating tribal relations functions within mission areas and for strengthening the Office of Tribal Relations to deliver statutorily required functions; he acknowledged the government‑to‑government relationship with tribal nations and pledged consultation.

Ending: Several senators requested written analyses and timelines on workforce impacts, civil‑rights implications and relocation costs; Vaden committed to follow‑up briefings and data submissions.","Senators pressed the USDA on personnel effects of the reorganization, including voluntary buyouts, rehiring, relocation assistance and risks of disparate impacts on employees.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6142256,"Lawmakers ask how USDA reorg will affect SNAP, WIC and program integrity oversight",115,2597000,2712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2&start=2597&end=2712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2/thumbnail_2597000.jpg","/articles/6142256/Lawmakers-ask-how-USDA-reorg-will-affect-SNAP-WIC-and-program-integrity-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142256-f4d68f901b7d791e4b6ed16fa45a083f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432718&Signature=XfVlPQTPPEILZB0WZhRyMyyMuqV9zIumXwSHicJLXqVdhKQT8iF51RgUJwpOPPVa6BDqAZslRoMGAr1UWondIAceunDPzQG2z2nkPXrYf00epbSJwXjzVSOD7dgDpM3VpIkBHJ26U7qpby6XEaEagKSNOB6MzF77f8JDTO63Gj0jMFDGcWysLoNhcrBAwxq2B9r0TgDvmdHNCSCuxbf-J0jvwhprcR6t0ggfmfo3cHIYvbuu5UIudrfzfudO50FIVLVPdsqiFmrZbI2BZkXGwwFqrXtr3y-R0bGS0LjHHSop0SqCYdEd4TTYk80EG0STXTC3TaN1mjSjUTOReRBTPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several senators raised pointed questions about the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC, and how the reorganization would affect program integrity, error rates and state technical assistance.

Senators noted the scale of the programs—Vaden and senators referenced “over 40,000,000 SNAP recipients” in discussing program scale—and expressed concern that congressional action in other bills and staff losses have strained operations. Senator Klobuchar and others asked for data on staff losses by function, particularly for positions tied to financial management, program integrity and management review of nutrition programs.

Deputy Secretary Vaden told the committee the FNS headquarters and regional offices are included in the secretary’s memorandum but that “every agency and every mission area under the Secretary's plan will have representation and officials in Washington, D.C.” He said the SNAP program is primarily administered by states and argued it makes sense to move employees who oversee states into the states they supervise.

Committee requests and risks: senators requested breakdowns of FNS staffing losses and vacancy rates, an analysis of how moving oversight staff affects the department’s ability to detect and prevent improper payments, and the department’s program integrity plans for implementing statutory SNAP changes already enacted by Congress. Vaden said the department would provide additional numbers and work with the committee on the rollout.

Ending: Senators emphasized the need for department assurances that nutrition assistance delivery and integrity controls would not be compromised during reorganization and asked for written analyses and timelines.","Senators pressed the department on how moving Food and Nutrition Service staff and closing DC offices could affect SNAP and WIC administration, error rates and timely disaster‑related nutrition assistance. Deputy Secretary Vaden said FNS would retain Washington representation while shifting oversight staff closer to states.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6142261,"Senators press USDA on research lab changes; deputy secretary says most labs will be unaffected",1023,2505000,3528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2&start=2505&end=3528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5559319-ae32fce6779df922d49d517544bee6c2/thumbnail_2505000.jpg","/articles/6142261/Senators-press-USDA-on-research-lab-changes-deputy-secretary-says-most-labs-will-be-unaffected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142261-a829c3d55c0e9e6ac98c541322ae00b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770432718&Signature=UVn~3WKPqQNfOMYk2zqffgkIkwE~syAMT25lPOmpliJGHYnMFUEp8aerS74lHHMu493M3ESG~mUB0f1-vM7D-D-MWbBa09q48Z7nehlTKIF3G9IXpIGVcLZtKIOkLkPjLVLscs~gQ5fiuYEawTSibpyuZkC4ZdacrUeccpkR~sxaj61kR73pL1NMLftPjMMDDRBIzFOSkDuYqgeS1~WoQLQC1XUKQTh2HM1jPcyK~2NZYjH5Js-gxJIPE~xDMbkHNREIVErwt8jgYG9CH~sX3DoLiUgEkqwIbN8ILHnFXo85s-BCSvbbtW27nUEiW5hhB-FWuj~7MYaRQiVqNAr4xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators from agricultural states pressed Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden about the reorganization’s effect on USDA research agencies and field laboratories, citing past relocations that lawmakers and the Government Accountability Office found disrupted outputs and staffing.

Ranking Member Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted previous moves of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and cited a GAO finding that ERS produced fewer reports and NIFA took longer to process grants after the earlier relocation. Several senators said research attrition has already been severe: the transcript records lawmakers saying “1,600 employees have already left USDA research agencies.”

Vaden’s response: Vaden said “91 of 94 ARS research labs are unaffected by the secretary’s memorandum,” and that the plan “states in its plain text that what will go on in Beltsville will take place over a period of years and in a way that does not interfere with any ongoing research.” He also told the committee that regionally important centers such as Stoneville, Mississippi, were being considered for retention: \"because of the important research that is actually conducted there, I believe at the current time, USDA's plan, subject of course to consultation with you, is for the staff to remain there.\"

Why senators pressed the point: Senators emphasized that area offices and administrative support at sites such as Stoneville provide management, funding oversight and local partnerships that support 60 research units and hundreds of scientists across multi‑state regions. One senator provided detail on Stoneville’s scale: “60 research units, 1,500 employees including nearly 500 scientists and a $358,000,000 annual budget.”

Follow up requested: Senators asked for agency‑level staffing breakdowns, vacancy and turnover numbers for research and lab facilities, and assurances that ongoing disease response work—such as avian influenza, screw worm controls and spotted lanternfly efforts—would not be interrupted. Vaden said he would provide data and reiterated the department’s aim to avoid disrupting active research.

Ending: The department will supply committee staff with further detail as consultation continues; no formal agency reorganization decisions affecting specific labs were announced at the hearing.","Lawmakers raised alarms about potential closures or consolidation of research offices after Secretary Rollins’ memo; Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden told senators 90 of 94 Agricultural Research Service laboratories would be unaffected and that Stoneville and other critical sites are intended to remain in place subject to consultation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hearing probes USDA plan to move 2,600 headquarters jobs to five regional hubs

Senators press USDA on workforce losses, buyouts and potential disparate impacts of relocation

Lawmakers ask how USDA reorg will affect SNAP, WIC and program integrity oversight

Senators press USDA on research lab changes; deputy secretary says most labs will be unaffected