By Organ Mountain News on May 23, 2026

Heinrich, Luján demand answers on USDA nutrition program reorganization

Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are demanding answers from the USDA over a proposed reorganization they say could weaken administration of SNAP, WIC and school meal programs.

Federal nutrition assistance programs administered through the USDA Food and Nutrition Service include school meal programs serving children across the country. (CDC / Unsplash)

Senators warn proposed federal overhaul could weaken SNAP, WIC and school meal administration nationwide

Organ Mountain News report

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján are demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a proposed reorganization of the agency that oversees federal nutrition assistance programs.

In a letter sent Friday to USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, the senators warned that changes to the agency’s Food and Nutrition Service could weaken administration of programs including SNAP, WIC and the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

The Food and Nutrition Service administers 16 federal nutrition assistance programs nationwide. Heinrich and Luján said the agency has already experienced major staffing losses following last year’s Deferred Resignation Program, which they said resulted in nearly 30% of FNS employees leaving the agency.

“After dramatic cuts to nutrition assistance programs and the significant staff losses at FNS in the past year, this reorganization will further weaken the ability of the agency to administer federal nutrition assistance programs,” the lawmakers wrote.

The senators also criticized several recent federal actions involving nutrition assistance, including cuts to SNAP, canceled food shipments for food banks and schools and the termination of a long-running federal food insecurity survey.

According to the letter, the USDA’s proposed reorganization plan would close five of the agency’s seven regional offices and relocate staff based on program responsibilities. Heinrich and Luján warned the changes could reduce coordination among nutrition assistance programs and lead to additional staff departures.

The lawmakers pointed to a previous USDA reorganization involving the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture that they said resulted in major staffing losses and reduced productivity.

Heinrich and Luján requested detailed answers from the USDA by June 5 regarding staffing impacts, relocation plans, union negotiations and how the agency plans to maintain support for states and households during the reorganization.

The letter was led by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and signed by more than 20 Democratic senators.

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