North Dakota Senator John Hoeven supports the Administration’s attempt at cost savings and bringing USDA closer to the farmer. At the same time, he believes Congress would like input into the new regional USDA hubs. “As you look at the five sites, there’s nothing within 600 miles from Fargo, North Dakota and we’re in the heart of ag country.” Hoeven, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, wants more give-and-take between USDA and Congress on this reorganization plan. “We want it to be a process where you work with Congress and we achieve those results together; that’ll help garner a lot more support for the effort.” Deputy Secretary Steven Vaden responded by saying the USDA reorganization plan “is the first step, not the final step.”Following the hearing, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was on social media saying USDA is delivering on President Trump’s promise of cutting waste, decentralizing power, and putting staff closer to the farmers and ranchers they serve. Rollins used the hashtag #Drain the Swamp.
