Unions representing staff in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are asking Congress to initiate immediate oversight of budget and staffing cuts being undertaken across the agency, arguing that they are severely undermining USDA’s ability to serve the American public.

The unions expressed their concerns—including concerns about food safety—in a letter sent to Congressional leaders on Monday.

“The combination of harmful budget cuts, executive overreach, and politically motivated staffing changes have weakened key agencies. Without Congressional oversight, the decades of knowledge and infrastructure that ensure food safety and security will be dismantled,” the letter states. “The 15% staff reduction from the deferred resignation program has impacted every agency in the USDA.”

As reported by Food Safety Magazine on May 5, more than 11,300 USDA employees signed up for the Trump Administration's second round of deferred resignations. The second round came on the heels of 3,877 employees who chose in January to resign—bringing to more than 15,000 the number of USDA employees accepting the resignation offer.

The unions’ letter to Congress cites specifically USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS).

“Despite the importance of ARS research, 98 out of 167 food safety scientists have recently resigned. These losses, driven by poor leadership and fear of retaliation, threaten the future of food security research. ARS scientists have also been barred from conferences and media engagement, stifling transparency and scientific advancement,” the letter states.

The letter adds: “Further workforce reductions, under the guise of ‘deferred resignations’, relocations, or reorganizations, threaten the long-term viability of USDA’s mission and the communities we serve. This is not just about agency management, it is about protecting the nation’s food supply, rural economy, and scientific integrity.”

The unions request the following actions from the respective House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies:

1. Immediate halt to any Reduction in Force (RIF), relocation, or reorganization until Congressional oversight is implemented and impacted employees are meaningfully consulted. 
2. Full transparency regarding USDA workforce plans and budget priorities.
3. Reassertion of Congressional authority over USDA spending to prevent further damage to essential programs.
4. Protections for civil servants from politically motivated removals or reassignments. 
5. Restoration of communication channels between the USDA and key stakeholders.
6. Restoration of critical staffing and resources to ensure USDA’s programs can meet their mission.