A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to halt certain office closures and employee relocations tied to its reorganization, ruling the department likely violated a congressional spending restriction.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria says Congress had restricted USDA from redirecting funds for the changes without authorization.
Although the judge agreed with the parties that a provision requiring approval from congressional appropriations committees was unconstitutional, he ruled the spending restriction itself remains in effect.
The order covers several USDA agencies and mission areas, including the Forest Service, Agricultural Research Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Rural Development, and Farm Production and Conservation.
However, the ruling does not prevent USDA from closing offices in the Washington, D.C., area or relocating employees within that region.
The restrictions are scheduled to expire December 11 unless Congress extends them.
USDA officials have previously indicated the department could appeal an injunction.
