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Rep. Stephanie Herseth HERSETH INTRODUCES BILL TO PREVENT FSA OFFICE CLOSURES FOR 12 MONTHS Common Sense Delay Would Ensure No Final Decisions Are Made Until Reauthorization of the Farm Bill March 22, 2007, Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to prevent the closure of Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for 12 months, including those offices scheduled for closure in South Dakota. The delay would ensure that no final decisions are made until the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, thereby ensuring a better understanding of staffing demands on county offices under that new law. Herseth said, “To me, it’s common sense that we would wait until we have more information about the specific demands the 2007 Farm Bill will place on our already busy FSA offices before jumping to any conclusions. I’m skeptical about the savings that this controversial plan would actually achieve, and I am concerned about the financial and logistical strain this premature move would have on farm and ranch families throughout the state.” The FSA offices in South Dakota scheduled for closure or consolidation are: Campbell County, Hyde County, Sanborn County, Jackson County, Mellette County, Todd County, Dewey County and Ziebach County. Herseth’s offices have heard from dozens of residents who are concerned about the USDA plan. “The FSA office closures will drastically affect the lives of those producers who depend on them,” Herseth continued. “Before making anything final, we need to make sure we’ve got all the facts.” # # # Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Resources. In the 110th Congress, Herseth was appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. |
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