Hawkeye Reporter

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a family farmer, has submitted formal questions to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden regarding the department’s recent reorganization proposal. The questions follow a committee hearing held Wednesday in Washington.

Grassley’s inquiries focus on the process behind USDA’s announcement of its reorganization plan. He questioned why Congress was not informed or consulted before the plan was made public and asked for clarification on the agency’s view of congressional involvement in such decisions, including input on USDA hub locations.

He also drew attention to Ames, Iowa, which houses both the Agriculture Research Service’s National Animal Disease Center—a recognized leader in animal health research—and the National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment, known for research in watershed management and soil health. Grassley requested information about whether any positions or projects would be moved to Ames as part of the proposed changes.

The senator submitted his questions as part of Questions For the Record (QFRs), a standard procedure allowing senators to receive detailed written responses from hearing witnesses.

The specific questions posed by Grassley include:

"Why was Congress not notified or consulted of plans for the reorganization despite so many in Congress supporting these plans?"

"Will there be any flexibility for Congress to weigh in on the hubs that have been designated, the movement of positions to certain locations, or the vacating of certain properties such as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center?"

"Ames, Iowa is home to the Agriculture Research Service’s National Animal Disease Center and the National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment among others. Will USDA move any positions or projects to Ames, Iowa?"

"What do you see as Congress’s role in this process? Will there be closer consultation with Congress moving forward?"