Brooke Rollins Responds to Jeff Merkley on Food Assistance and Agricultural Research Cuts

Agricultural Research Funding

• 💡 Senator Merkley expressed concern over a proposed $160 million cut to agricultural research in the president's budget, which represents about a 7% decrease.
• 🎯 Rollins assured that the cuts are focused on closing outdated facilities and will not impact the continuation of robust research vital to agricultural producers.
• 🔬 Specific research areas in Oregon, such as sudden oak death, drought-resistant wheat, and managing beneficial grasses post-fire, were highlighted as essential.
• ⚠️ Merkley questioned if any outdated facilities were in Oregon, to which Rollins committed to following up.

Food Insecurity and Assistance Programs

• 📌 Merkley raised concerns about the suspension of Commodity Credit Corporation payments to food assistance programs, noting that one in six children in Oregon face food insecurity.
• 💰 Rollins stated that these were COVID-era programs not intended to continue indefinitely, with a significant portion of funds remaining in Oregon.
• 📊 She emphasized that USDA spends approximately $400 million daily on nutrition programs and that support for farmers and food banks can continue through other existing programs.
• 🍽️ Merkley urged Rollins to consider the current, ongoing need and the significant impact the suspension would have on organizations like the Oregon Food Bank, which estimates a reduction of 3 million meals.
• 🤝 Rollins agreed to review the specific numbers provided and offered a direct phone call to discuss the matter further.