Dems react to slashes in farm and food aid during hearing

Democrats on the House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee criticized President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a Thursday hearing with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, according to reporting by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

The fiscal 2027 budget would slash $4.9 billion, nearly one-fifth of the department's budget, and eliminate more than 70 USDA programs. This comes after 2.5 million people have already lost access to food assistance due to last year's Republican spending and tax-cut law.

Ranking Democrat Sanford Bishop of Georgia questioned how USDA could claim to serve farmers while cutting their services. While committee ranking member Rosa DeLauro highlighted rising grocery, gas, and utility costs, arguing the administration's plan would "decimate" public programs helping working families and farmers.

Rollins defended the cuts, noting they represented just 4 percent of total department spending, and pledged cooperation with both parties. She promised not to close any Farm Service Agency offices and committed to addressing understaffed locations.

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