Sen. Moran Applauds USDA Decision to Exempt NBAF from Federal Hiring Freeze

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - applauded the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to exempt the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan from the federal hiring freeze. The announcement came after Sen. Moran called on USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to pursue an exemption and expedite the recruitment and hiring of staff at NBAF and hosted Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden for a tour of NBAF.

"I'm pleased by the recent decision to exempt NBAF from the federal hiring freeze to permit the facility to recruit for vacant positions," said Sen. Moran. "During a recent tour of the facility with USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, USDA staff highlighted the efforts being made to finish critical repairs and bring NBAF to its full operational capacity. This decision will help make certain NBAF can hire the necessary staff in both science and operational roles to bolster NBAF's function and mission, strengthening national food and agriculture security."

# # #