The USDA has extended the public comment period on its controversial reorganization plan to September 30, doubling the original 30-day window after bipartisan criticism that stakeholders needed more time to weigh in.
The plan, unveiled in late July, calls for relocating around 2,600 Washington-based employees to five new hubs in Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Fort Collins, and Salt Lake City, leaving only around 2,000 staff in the D.C. area.
USDA says the move will save about $4 billion through deferred resignations and reduced building maintenance costs, but the plan also involves vacating several major facilities.
Lawmakers, unions, and farm interest groups have expressed concerns that the relocations could force out experienced staff, disrupt critical work on food safety and welfare programs, and slow responses to Congress and stakeholders.
Photo Credit: USDA
Comments