Senator Amy Klobuchar and 23 other senators are raising concerns about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s planned reorganization of its Research, Education and Economics mission area, saying the changes could disrupt agricultural research and economic reporting.
In a letter sent to USDA officials, the lawmakers said they support efforts to improve efficiency, but warned the restructuring could weaken the department’s research agencies and limit their ability to provide scientific innovation and economic data to farmers and rural communities.
The senators asked USDA to provide details about steps being taken to reduce disruptions for farmers, ranchers and agricultural researchers during the transition.
They also urged the department to follow Government Accountability Office recommendations related to federal agency reorganizations.
The Research, Education and Economics division oversees several USDA agencies, including the Economic Research Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which provide data and research widely used throughout the agriculture industry.
The letter was signed by Democratic senators and two independents who caucus with Democrats.
