Federal judge blocks planned US farm agency reorganization
By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the US Department of Agriculture from proceeding with its planned agency reorganization, in a blow to President Donald Trump's sweeping overhaul of the executive branch. The ruling from the District Court for the Northern District of California is a victory for unions that had sued to block the reorganization effort, in part because employees said it would weaken agency services. The order halts reorganization efforts at several USDA agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, Food and Nutrition Administration, and others. Judge Vince Chhabria said the agency was "reprogramming" congressional funds for the reorganization, or using money for a different purpose than it was intended. "Congress did not contemplate USDA using its appropriated funds to shut down offices or relocate employees," Chhabria wrote. The agency's reorganization effort has sought to move about 2,600 employees from the Washington region, as well as to consolidate agency offices across the country. Agency staff had warned that wide-scale employee departures because of the reorganization risked trade, foreig
By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, Oct 14 (Reuters) — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the US Department of Agriculture from proceeding with its planned agency reorganization, in a blow to President Donald Trump's sweeping overhaul of the executive branch. The ruling from the District Court for the Northern District of California is a victory for unions that had sued to block the reorganization effort, in part because employees said it would weaken agency services. The order halts reorganization efforts at several USDA agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, Food and Nutrition Administration, and others.
Judge Vince Chhabria said the agency was "reprogramming" congressional funds for the reorganization, or using money for a different purpose than it was intended. "Congress did not contemplate USDA using its appropriated funds to shut down offices or relocate employees," Chhabria wrote. The agency's reorganization effort has sought to move about 2,600 employees from the Washington region, as well as to consolidate agency offices across the country. Agency staff had warned that wide-scale employee departures because of the reorganization risked trade, foreign aid, nutrition and other programs.
" "The administration’s attempt to gut this essential agency is blatantly illegal, and we’re thankful the court has stopped it, for now, from proceeding with a reckless plan," said Patrick Moran, president of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, in a statement. com, Phone: (202) 250-0286)