Rep. Salinas' Statement on USDA Reorganization Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture, issued the following statement in response to a federal court order temporarily blocking portions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) proposed reorganization.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria extended an order temporarily halting reorganization activities at several USDA agencies while the court considers a lawsuit brought by a coalition of federal employee unions. The judge indicated that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their argument that the reorganization violates a provision of the Fiscal Year 2026 funding law restricting USDA's ability to carry out the reorganization without congressional approval. The proposed plan would have relocated thousands of USDA employees and consolidate offices across the country, raising concerns about disruptions to critical services for farmers, rural communities, and American families.

"For more than a year, I have raised concerns about this reckless plan and its consequences for the people who grow our food, protect our forests, and serve our rural communities," said Rep. Salinas. "This court order provides some much-needed relief for USDA employees and their families, but the fight is far from over. If Secretary Rollins believes in this plan, she should bring it to Congress, show us the data, and make her case in the open. Until then, will keep fighting to protect the essential services rural Oregonians rely on."