USDA job cuts must be stopped. DOGE is going to create higher prices.

The recent workforce reductions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) efforts are deeply concerning. With thousands of specialized employees like food inspectors and invasive species detection dog trainers being let go, there is a high risk of substantial disruptions to our nation's food supply chains. The absence of adequate inspection staff could lead to food shipments languishing at ports, spoiling before they can reach consumers. This wastage, coupled with diminished oversight, creates an environment ripe for inflated grocery prices as supplies dwindle. Beyond the economic impacts, these cuts jeopardize our ability to prevent the introduction of invasive pests and diseases that could devastate domestic agriculture. I urge you to take immediate action to halt and reverse these short-sighted USDA staffing cuts. Maintaining a robust inspection workforce is critical to safeguarding food security, protecting consumer wallets, and shielding American farmers from existential biosecurity threats. Undoing these reckless personnel actions will avert long-term harm to our food systems.