00:00Let's see. Senator Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, farmers and ranchers back in New Mexico have told me that these tariffs feel like a gut punch. Everything's getting more expensive for them. Implements getting more expensive, fertilizer getting more expensive. I mean, heck, I don't know how many of you buy ground beef I do. If you go buy it now, compared to the prices that you saw just a little bit of time ago. I mean, anyhow, that's not what I'm here to talk about.
00:30today. I thought it was important to mention that, though. Mr. Vaden, Secretary Rowland's memo proposes effectively eliminating the U.S. Forest 9 Regional Offices over the next year. As you know, the Forest Service's Southwest Regional Office is located in New Mexico. Now, what I'm hoping is that we get some information shared with the employees in all parts of America where they're going to be impacted by this plan, including the 250 employees at the office. I want them to be prepared.
00:57Mr. Vaden, what will eliminating the regional office in Albuquerque mean for the employees there?
01:02Well, Senator, let me first of all point out that with regard to the Forest Service employees in Albuquerque, Albuquerque is specifically mentioned in the Secretary's memorandum because of its important HR functions. That is a core area of the Forest Service that will be unaffected by this reorganization.
01:19Mr. Vaden, it's going to stay open. No, Senator. OK, well, then let's get on to the employees. Let's fast forward.
01:26The HR function will be there. OK, the regional office will no longer be there. OK, what does that mean?
01:32Those employees may be absorbed into other areas in Albuquerque or may be asked to move pending consultation with the employees and the agencies.
01:42But I also think it's important to note because I want to respond to the question that you sent to the Department of Agriculture just the other day that you asked about the lease at the building at three hundred thirty three Broadway Street Southeast.
01:55And so I thought you would want to know that that building has long been on the GSA priority list for closure and its lease was set to end on the thirty first of December twenty twenty six.
02:07I appreciate that, Mr. Vaden. I've limited time, sir. Mr. Vaden, Mr. Chairman, could I get some help here, Mr. Vaden?
02:13I have limited time here. We sent you those questions so you could respond in writing.
02:17You chose not to do that. So maybe now you will. So I hope that you respond to these questions in writing.
02:22That's why we sent them to you ahead of time. That question was not a part of the letter that Senator Klobuchar sent.
02:27You just said I sent you a letter. I just sent you some questions. No, you sent an inquiry.
02:31Mr. Chairman, if you could give Senator Lujan extra time and one letter is not all we need here when we had no consultation.
02:38Senator Lujan has every right to send his own letter.
02:41Mr. Vaden, what does it mean to the employees? Have they been consulted?
02:44Senator, the employee consultation begins now. And as I mentioned. When's now? Today?
02:49It began the day that the memorandum was issued. So have the employees in Albuquerque been consulted?
02:56They will be consulted through their union members?
02:58So it started, but they've not been consulted yet. So I'd like to ask, Mr. Chairman, if we need to send a formal letter,
03:05when the consultation in New Mexico will truly begin with the employees.
03:09Now, based on the secretary's memorandum, it's not clear if the center is going to be closed or relocated.
03:13That's why we're asking this particular question. The administration needs to provide more details about this reorganization plan
03:19and how proposed changes will impact wildfire response.
03:22A lot of these questions may not even have to be asked today if our staff's questions would have been answered as opposed to ignored.
03:28So when will you, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, provide this information to this committee?
03:34Senator, we've already had multiple staff meetings. We would intend to continue those over the next 30-day consultation.
03:40Mr. Baden, I'll try to be more clear here. I'm sorry if my English, if my English is spoken with an accent.
03:45I apologize. I'm proud to be born and raised in New Mexico. I'll try to speak more clearly.
03:49When will you provide this information to this committee?
03:53Senator, we will get it to you. You send us your questions. You'll get it.
03:56I'm asking you right now, when will you provide this information on the reorganization plan to this committee?
04:01To the members, to those of us that are duly elected to be here. When?
04:04As we finalize it, you will be here. Is it not finalized?
04:07Senator, as I noted in my opening remarks, this is a vision to be implemented.
04:11The individual details will need to be worked out with the agencies and the employees.
04:16Let me ask the question a different way.
04:17And obviously that involves consultation with you.
04:19Mr. Baden, when will you provide the existing information about the reorganization plan to this committee and to the members?
04:25The existing information is contained in the memorandum.
04:28If you want background data regarding how some of these decisions were made, we're happy to work with you on it.
04:34I appreciate that. I appreciate it. We're on the same page there.
04:37Now, Mr. Baden, one thing I've been hearing from folks back home around SNAP and WIC is we're seeing an all-out assault on these food programs.
04:44One in four Americans rely on programs to eat, as we all know.
04:47The administration is attempting to gut the specialized workforce that ensures these programs are operating effectively and efficiently.
04:53Now, I read the Secretary's memorandum that was released on the 24th.
04:58Now, the questions I'm getting from people back in New Mexico is that they're already struggling to get timely technical assistance needed to effectively administer WIC to the mothers and kids back home.
05:08When has the department conducted an analysis of how this program, this proposed reorganization will impact the ability of Americans to access federal nutrition assistance programs?
05:18By sending more people into the states and having fewer people in Washington, D.C., we will have more employees, including in the food and nutrition service, closer and more available to our state partners.
05:29Again, Mr. Baden, if I could just be clear, did you all conduct the analysis of how it's going to impact the ability to feed folks?
05:36Senator, as part of our plan, our entire effort was to increase government-
05:40Mr. Baden, I appreciate that, sir.
05:42Did you conduct analysis?
05:44Has analysis been conducted, yes or no?
05:46Yes.
05:47Okay, my question is-
05:48So that by putting more employees in the field-
05:50I appreciate that.
05:51You can submit that all in writing as well.
05:53When will you commit to sharing the analysis with this committee?
05:56Senator, we'll work with you following the hearing.
05:59A week?
06:00A month?
06:01If it already exists, it could be here tonight.
06:03Senator, with regard to the analysis in each specific agency-
06:08Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
06:09I yield back.
06:10Senator Fischer.
06:12Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Sch-
06:14Speaker-
06:15Hello, gentlemen, and thank you, Mr. Assembly-
06:16chairman.
06:17Thank you,
06:19underscore-
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