Thompson Calling For USDA Employees To Return To Work

Ag lawmakers on Capitol Hill say it’s time for USDA to end COVID staffing restrictions at FSA offices. House Ag Ranking Member, Glenn Thompson, told USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie this week that it’s time for USDA employees to return to work.

“USDA is still limiting FSA offices to just 25% of their personnel, and limiting or even preventing farmers from going in to the physical office. I hear from farmers, just not in my Congressional district, but frankly, all across the country, that this is bad, the negative impact on their ability to sign up for programs and get information, and they’ve had enough.”

Bonnie acknowledged while COVID restrictions have created problems, getting back to “normal” will take time and steps.

“Yesterday, we moved 804 offices from 25%, to 50% staffing. As omicron abates, we expect to be able to move very quickly, as the data changes. Understand the challenges here, we hear the same thing you do, and we’ll work to move as quickly as we can to reopen.”  

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