WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing yesterday, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) questioned witnesses on how staff reductions at USDA, led by Elon Musk’s DOGE, are hurting farms and farming communities in Vermont and across the United States.  

“We are so—in Vermont—appreciative of the work that the USDA has done, and we’re really concerned, as I think a lot of people are, about the staffing cuts because we had a staff aspirational level, and our actual numbers were a good deal below that. And now, since the buyouts and the DOGE cuts, it’s really been significantly compromised. My experience with the USDA and Vermont is it’s really efficient,” said Senator Welch. “What’s so wonderful about it is farmers trust [NRCS] and that trust is in short supply. I join my colleagues who are concerned about it and express my appreciation and admiration for the work that has been done.” 

“At a certain point you’ve got to get concrete. If we’ve lost 10%, or 15%, or 20% of the staff and still have the same job or more, how are we going to proceed?” Senator Welch concluded. 

Watch the Senator’s full remarks below: 

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