FROM REPRESENTATIVE BARRY MOORE’S OFFICE
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02) issued the following statement after sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding Farm Service Agency (FSA) vaccine requirements.
“USDA’s requirement for the mandatory vaccination of all state and county FSA committee members and advisors is extremely short-sighted and harmful to the communities USDA serves. Too many policy changes – especially those impacting agriculture – occur far from those most often impacted, and this decision by USDA is no exception. Secretary Vilsack should not hamstring USDA’s mission by punishing FSA leaders and public servants who play such an important role as advocates for their communities and their industry. I hope the Secretary will reconsider his position and exempt these committee members or offer reasonable accommodations to allow them to continue their service while unvaccinated.”
BACKGROUND
FSA state, county, and community committees were authorized by the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1935. These committees share the responsibility and work together to administer FSA programs. State committees are responsible for administering various programs, including state agricultural conservation programs, production adjustment and price support programs, livestock programs, Agricultural Market Transition Act programs, and other programs assigned by the Secretary or Congress. Responsibilities of county committees include agricultural conservation programs, production adjustment and price support programs, and livestock programs.
On September 22, 2021, USDA employees and part-time employees received a memorandum outlining the new vaccination requirement under President Biden’s Executive Order 14043. In short, members must take the vaccine or face termination.
