Press Releases
Conaway, Hartzler Lead Letter Supporting USDA’s Proposal to Relocate ERS and NIFA
Washington,
March 27, 2019
Washington, D.C. – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and committee member Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) today led 30 of their colleagues, including all House Agriculture Republicans, in a letter to House Agriculture Appropriators supporting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plans to relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) out of the Washington, D.C. metro area. Conaway and Hartzler were joined in their letter by Reps. Neal Dunn (FL-2), Roger Marshall (KS-1), Ann Wagner (MO-2), Trent Kelly (MS-1), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Don Bacon (NE-2), Mike Bost (IL-12), Joe Wilson (SC-2), Kevin Brady (TX-8), Ralph Abraham (LA-5), Rick Crawford (AR-1), Doug LaMalfa (CA-1), James Comer (KY-1), Sam Graves (MO-6), Bill Flores (TX-17), David Rouzer (NC-7), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Jackie Walorski (IN-2), Austin Scott (GA-8), Ted Yoho (FL-3), Jim Hagedorn (MN-1), Jim Banks (IN-3), Scott DesJarlais (TN-4), Jim Baird (IN-4), Trey Hollingsworth (IN-9), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), Greg Pence (IN-6), Denver Riggleman (VA-5), Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Rick Allen (GA-12). The text of the letter follows: March 27, 2019 The Honorable Sanford Bishop The Honorable Jeff Fortenberry Dear Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Fortenberry: We write in strong support of Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s goal to improve customer service, strengthen offices and programs, and save taxpayer dollars by relocating the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outside of the National Capital Region. Key functions of the USDA such as the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are already located outside of the Washington, D.C. area and have a strong track record of providing quality service to America’s farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and research and extension stakeholders. We believe relocating ERS and NIFA would build upon USDA’s capacity and improve the agency’s ability to recruit top talent from universities across the nation while being closer to rural America and reducing taxpayer expenditures. We commend the Secretary for his commitment that no ERS or NIFA employee will be involuntarily separated during this transition, and that employees will be offered relocation assistance and will receive the same base pay as before. We also appreciate USDA’s notice and attention to its important research, extension, and education mission. It is clear that the Secretary remains committed to mission-delivery both during this transition and once the relocation effort is complete. For the above mentioned reasons, we request that no relocation limitation be included in the FY 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. While we understand Congressional oversight is appropriate, we are ready to work with you to ensure any logistical complications or issues that may arise are overcome. We appreciate your time and attention to this matter and strongly support this effort. Sincerely, |