USDA chief slams Congress for impact of cuts

USA Today: WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack fired back at congressional lawmakers who criticized him for not doing enough to avoid a series of mandatory spending cuts, including the furloughs of meat inspectors expected later this year.

Instead, Vilsack put the blame squarely on congressional lawmakers. He said the spending reductions, or sequestration, will have a significant impact on agriculture by reducing the amount of money the U.S. Agriculture Department can loan out to producers, leading to cuts in conservation programs and curtailing exports to the tune of about $500 million.

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