Language included in House Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the inclusion of an amendment to the House version of the Farm Bill that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the workload of Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and solicit public comment before closures could occur. Loebsack has been fighting to stop the consolidation of FSA offices, including those in Centerville, Creston and Leon. The amendment is based on legislation introduced by Rep. Leonard Boswell and championed by Loebsack.
"I have been fighting side by side with Iowans in the affected areas to reverse the USDA's decision since it was first announced in February. The consolidation of services provided by the FSA offices would cause great harm not only to individual farmers, but the rural economy as well. I am pleased the House Agriculture Committee included this amendment and will continue to work to ensure the offices remain open."
Since the policy was announced earlier this year, Loebsack called on the USDA to re-evaluate this proposal. He has also written to the House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees to urge them to include funding for the offices in the FY 2013 Agriculture Appropriations bill. He also cosponsored two pieces of legislation to address these issues, H.R. 4313, the Farm Service Accountability Act (the basis of the amendment) and H.R. 4330, which prohibits the closing of a USDA office unless there is another office within 20 miles.
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