The Forest Service reorganization is proceeding in direct violation of Section 716 of the Agriculture Appropriations Act and Section 421 of the Interior Appropriations Act. Both laws require written congressional approval before reorganizing offices or reprogramming funds. USDA announced this reorganization on March 31 with press releases and employee memos, violating the standstill clause immediately. Where are the hearings? Where are the subpoenas?
USDA General Counsel Tyler Clarkson has issued an internal memo instructing the agency to treat these congressional restrictions as unconstitutional and proceed anyway, without any court challenge or judicial review. This is the same playbook Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden used in 2019 when he relocated the Economic Research Service without congressional permission. The Government Accountability Office confirmed those relocations violated federal law. Vaden's response: "USDA is not required to abide by unconstitutional laws." That move cost 75% of affected staff and millions in taxpayer dollars.
Congress passed these laws with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Interior package passed the Senate 82-15. The President signed them. Now USDA is closing offices and upending people's lives while you do nothing. If an agency can void any appropriations restriction by internal memo, congressional control over spending is finished.
Call Vaden and Clarkson in for testimony. Issue subpoenas for the legal memos. Hold them accountable before more damage is done.
First sent on April 13 by Karla
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