Secretary Rollins addresses USDA staffing and national security concerns in congressional hearing

During a recent U.S. House Committee on Agriculture meeting, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins faced pressing questions regarding the USDA's capacity to support state agencies amid staffing cuts and resource reductions. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the USDA's ability to manage complex policy changes and support programs like SNAP, especially as delays in application processing have been reported.

Rollins assured committee members that the USDA is committed to providing timely assistance, stating, "Yes, we are doing everything we can to help move that quickly." However, she acknowledged the need for further investigation into specific actions being taken to expedite application processing.

A significant focus of the meeting was national security, particularly in light of recent incidents involving agro-terrorism. Rollins discussed the importance of addressing these threats and emphasized the USDA's commitment to enhancing biosecurity measures. "This is a national security issue," she stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The committee also addressed the USDA's handling of the Make America Healthy Again initiative and the recent controversy surrounding the accuracy of a report released by the agency. Lawmakers urged Rollins to ensure that future reports are based on sound science and transparent data, with one member stressing the importance of rebuilding trust in the USDA's findings.

In addition to these discussions, Rollins faced scrutiny over the USDA's staffing decisions, particularly the recent firings of nearly 6,000 employees. While she claimed that these actions were rectified quickly, concerns lingered about the impact on food safety and agricultural research.

As the meeting concluded, Rollins reiterated her commitment to addressing the challenges facing American farmers and ensuring the integrity of USDA programs. The committee's discussions underscored the critical role the USDA plays in supporting the agricultural sector and safeguarding the nation's food supply amidst ongoing challenges.