Van Hollen Blasts Effort to Move USDA Research Agencies

Will Offer Legislation to Block Relocation as an Amendment to NDAA Bill This Week

Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that they plan to move their research agencies to the Kansas City region. Senator Van Hollen has introduced legislation to block the move of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS) out of the National Capital Region, and he has put a hold on the USDA’s chief scientist nominee to underscore his concerns.

“Secretary Perdue is trying to move ahead with this misguided decision – despite the fact that he has offered no clear justification for the relocation and in spite of strong opposition by the men and women who work at these agencies. The experts at NIFA and ERS need a seat at the table as we work to ensure the food our families eat is safe, but the Trump Administration wants to banish facts and science from policy decisions. I’m offering my legislation to block this move as an amendment to the NDAA bill this week, and I will continue to fight this tooth and nail.”

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