USDA Reorganizing Consultation
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. A senior GOP senator has slammed USDA for not consulting with lawmakers in advance on its reorganization plans.
Iowa’s Chuck Grassley says USDA’s failure to consult with senators prompted a recent hearing with Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, and it was only then that senators got a commitment to consult with them …
GRASSLEY … “It’s just completely distressing and harmful to working with the Department of Agriculture.”
Had USDA come to senators first, Grassley says they could have had more input on choosing hub cities to relocate staff …
GRASSLEY … “So, if I didn’t want Kansas City to have it, I’d say, ‘Why not Des Moines?’ Now, maybe they wouldn’t have picked Des Moines, Iowa, but I’d like to know why Kansas City was picked over Des Moines, Iowa.”
Meantime, Grassley says he voted for recently confirmed USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg, but sees the role as limited, given the dominant White House role …
GRASSLEY … “I see them on the periphery of most of the negotiations. But I think this nominee will be very aggressive getting agriculture’s point of view, but it’s probably going to be expressed through negotiations, through the special trade representative.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley.
