Joni Ernst Praises USDA's Brooke Rollins for Expediting Meat Processing and Property Utilization

Modernizing Pork Processing

• 💡 Senator Ernst highlighted the importance of pork production to Iowa's economy and the need for modernizing the swine inspection system.
• ⚠️ A 2021 court ruling halted the implementation of a new system due to concerns about worker safety, despite its aims to improve food safety and offer farmers more processing choices.
• 🔬 Under the Biden administration, the implementation was stalled for years until a third-party research group, the Pulse team, confirmed that increased line speed does not harm worker safety.
• ✅ Secretary Rollins announced USDA's move to implement higher line speeds nationwide, expanding beyond the initial six trial plants.
• 🐷 If confirmed, Dr. Brashier committed to making the finalization of this science-based rule a top priority to provide certainty to pork producers.

Federal Property Utilization and Savings

• 🏢 Senator Ernst expressed gratitude for Secretary Rollins' swift action on recommendations to bring employees back to work and relocate USDA offices closer to farm country.
• 📊 She noted that USDA's Office of Inspector General is reviewing the utilization of federal property, as many buildings, particularly in Washington D.C., sit mostly empty.
• 💰 Ernst's legislative efforts, including the Disposal Act and For Sale Act, aim to expedite the sale of unused federal office space and return savings to taxpayers.
• 🎯 She emphasized that effective service to rural America requires USDA offices to be functional, not "ghost towns."
• ⏳ If confirmed, Mr. Walk committed to wrapping up and releasing the OIG's outstanding report on USDA building utilization, which has been pending for 19 months.