Witnesses say federal hiring cuts and understaffed labs undermined outbreak response; call for rehiring and funding

Members and witnesses told the subcommittee that recent federal personnel actions and hiring freezes impeded the nation’s ability to respond to animal-disease outbreaks. Ranking Member Costa and several members criticized large-scale probationary-term firings and urged rehiring of specialists.

Why it matters: Witnesses said lab technicians, USDA loan officers and animal-health staff are essential to testing, surveillance and producer assistance during outbreaks. Mike West of United Egg Producers urged fully staffed APHIS and ARS teams, saying “our lab system in this country is understaffed.” Walter Schweitzer, president of the Montana Farmers Union, said the cuts have “had an impact in Montana” on predator control, conservation program reimbursements and farmers’ access to operating loans.

Members cited several concrete impacts. Testimony referenced furloughs and dismissals of probationary employees across USDA agencies and said a portion of National Animal Health Laboratory Network staff was affected; members said rehiring is underway but remains slow. Witnesses said the uncertainty around payments from USDA cost-share and emergency livestock programs is delaying producer recovery decisions.

Committee context: Members said the committee will pursue appropriations and legislative fixes that maintain critical laboratory capacity and protect farm lending support. Several witnesses urged that rehiring be done with “surgical precision,” noting the specialized skills required for diagnostics and surveillance.

What’s next: Witnesses and members said they will provide additional documentation on gaps in lab capacity and staffing and ask the committee to prioritize funding and rehire authority for critical positions.