Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately address new political directives that threaten the department’s ability to deliver vital resources to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities
Under new reorganization plans, the Trump administration is forcing unnecessary overhauls and severe staff cuts at the USDA, threatening farmers’ and rural communities’ access to USDA programs and services
Senator Warnock has long fought to protect American farmers and supported USDA’s research agencies
Senator Reverend Warnock, colleagues: “While we support actions to improve efficiencies and enhance service, this effort will erode the capacity of USDA’s research agencies and threaten their ability to deliver innovation and timely economic data for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities”
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a key member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined 23 of his Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address concerns over the reorganization of its Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area.
“We write with strong concern regarding the reorganization and restructuring of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),” wrote Senator Warnock and his colleagues. “While we support actions to improve efficiencies and enhance service, this effort will erode the capacity of USDA’s research agencies and threaten their ability to deliver innovation and timely economic data for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”
As a veteran member of the Senate committee overseeing federal agriculture policies, and as a senator representing a state with a proud and prosperous history of agriculture excellence, Senator Warnock is a strong supporter of programs that help Georgia farmers keep more of their profits and ensure agriculture remains at the forefront of Georgia’s success.
In April, Senator Warnock joined a similar effort condemning USDA’s proposed structural reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which would inhibit USFS’s ability to mitigate wildfire risk, execute forest and watershed restoration projects, and increase trail maintenance. Last year, Senator Warnock led the reintroduction of the bipartisan Promoting Precision Agriculture Act with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). The legislation would facilitate further adoption of precision agriculture technologies for farmers and ranchers. In a similar effort, Senator Warnock also introduced the Precision Agriculture Loan (PAL) Act which aims to help America’s producers access cutting-edge farming technology and equipment.
In addition to Senator Warnock, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:
“Dear Deputy Secretary Vaden:
“We write with strong concern regarding the reorganization and restructuring of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While we support actions to improve efficiencies and enhance service, this effort will erode the capacity of USDA’s research agencies and threaten their ability to deliver innovation and timely economic data for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
“Previous relocations of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in 2018 and 2019 resulted in dramatic staff losses, as outlined in a December 2022 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In their publication, GAO noted that this relocation resulted in ERS and NIFA losing over half their staff, with the USDA failing to engage employees, Congress, and stakeholders throughout the relocation process or follow best management practices.
“Agencies of the REE mission area were also impacted by dramatic staff losses in 2025, including a loss of over 30 percent of staff within the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). These staff losses have real and immediate impacts on farmers, with many stakeholders now questioning the reliability of USDA’s own data reports. The REE reorganization and restructuring announced this April proposes to relocate REE mission area staff to over 27 different locations within months, but specific details of the relocations remain unclear. This could result in decreased agency capacity, further deteriorating the Department’s ability to conduct research, administer funding, and produce timely and reliable data products.
“In order to address these concerns, we ask that you provide a detailed description of actions the Department has taken to minimize disruptions to farmers, ranchers, and ag researchers and adhere to recommendations as outlined by GAO regarding agency reorganizations. Additionally, we ask that you detail your engagement with REE mission area staff, including plans to engage with staff covered by existing collective bargaining agreements as well as non-bargaining unit employees. Proactive and ongoing engagement with these employees will be necessary to prevent major disruptions to research, data collection, and education.
As strong supporters of USDA’s research agencies, it is our goal to make sure the REE mission functions as Congress intends – focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities overcome the challenges they face through scientific innovation and complex data analysis. Thank you for your attention to this issue, and we look forward to receiving your response within 30 days.”
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