Rollins: USDA Has No Plans to Close FSA Offices Amid Budget Cuts

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told lawmakers earlier this month that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has no plans to close Farm Service Agency offices, despite a proposed $358 million cut to the agency under President Donald Trump’s budget plan.

Rollins appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to discuss the administration’s broader proposal to reduce federal spending by $163 billion, including $4.8 billion from USDA.

In her testimony, Rollins said USDA is working with the Department of Government Efficiency to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining core services. She said the agency is “eliminating waste, fraud and abuse” while looking to fill vacant positions left after more than 15,000 workers departed under a voluntary resignation initiative.

Rollins also confirmed $15 billion of previously paused funding has been released, with another $5 billion under review. Emergency aid applications are expected to open by late May.