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Hoyer Statement on USDA's Relocation of ERS and NIFA

June 13, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the relocation of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to the Kansas City region:

"The USDA's announcement today that it will relocate the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City is the wrong decision. This relocation will prove to be not only disruptive to the important work being done by both agencies on behalf of the American people, but harmful to the morale of our federal civilian workforce. Furthermore, it will have negative consequences for many families in the Fifth District forced to choose between uprooting their lives in Maryland or losing their jobs. I worked to include language in the Fiscal Year 2020 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would prohibit USDA from using any funds for this relocation. It is alarming that the Administration is rushing ahead with this relocation in order to circumvent Congress. I will continue to explore all options to reverse this decision."