Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack comments on proposed FY 2015 USDA budget

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack commented on President Obama's FY 2015 budget.

FederalNewsRadio.com is reporting that the budget provides about $22.2 billion in discretionary spending for the department, a 7.9 percent decrease from last year. The Farm Bill, passed recently, made several cutbacks to farmer-issued subsidies, and those changes are reflected in this budget. FederalNewsRadio reports that "the administration would like that reform to go even further by scaling back crop insurance."

Vilsack seemed comfortable with the cutbacks in the statement he issued: "The President's 2015 USDA budget proposal achieves reform and results for the American taxpayer; fosters opportunity for the men and women living, working, and raising families in rural America; and supports innovation through strategic, future-focused investments."

He goes on to praise several facets of the legislation including the new approach to wild fire suppression, the focus on job creation, increased funding ($325 million) for the department's competitive grant program, and the $75 million being provided for public-private research innovation projects.

Vilsack does recognize the cutbacks in funding: "The 2015 budget recognizes fiscal realities. It supports USDA's ongoing efforts to modernize and update the way we do business. It builds off of our efforts through the Blueprint for Stronger Service, which in recent years has saved the American taxpayer a total of $1.2 billion while ensuring that USDA customers receive the best possible service. Our leaner workforce continues to find ways to implement increasingly complex programs with fewer resources."

To read Vilsack's full statement click here. For more details on the USDA's proposed 2015 budget click here. To see the budget highlights click here.