The U.S. Department of Agriculture faces mounting pressure as it attempts to rehire specialists fired under government efficiency reforms during an ongoing bird flu crisis impacting 45 states. Over 160 million poultry birds have been culled since 2022, triggering $2 billion in emergency spending and historic consumer egg prices.
House Republican Don Bacon criticized implementation of workforce cuts:
'While streamlining government remains vital, USDA needs mission-critical staff to contain this billion-dollar agricultural emergency.'
Key impacts driving urgency:
- Egg prices peaked at $4.95/dozen nationwide
- 1,100+ commercial flocks infected since outbreak
- $1.2 billion paid to farmers for destroyed flocks
Controversy centers on APHIS lab specialists cut despite leading efforts to confirm H5N1 outbreaks. The administration protected veterinarians and field technicians but eliminated testing coordinators according to USDA statements released Tuesday.
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) demanded immediate action:
'Slashing outbreak response teams while families pay record grocery prices demonstrates dangerous mismanagement priorities.'
Officials confirmed they're reviewing slaughter protocols as emergency rehiring continues. Public health experts warn any policy changes must balance farmer compensation with containing viral mutations threatening wider spread.