Legislators Call for Better Oversight of USDA Spending After 2022 Audit Shows Millions in ‘Questioned Costs’

Both Republican and Democrat legislators emphasized the need to increase oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s spending. during A hearing will be held on March 9.

Representatives from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), responded by highlighting the need to increase funding to keep up with the rapidly expanding number of projects under U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This was underscored By more than $305,000,000 in “questioned costs or funds to be put to better use,” There have been 275 arrests related to criminal use funding and more than $68 Million in recoveries and restitution.

That was just six months ago in the fiscal years (FY 2022).

Phyllis K. Fong is the Inspector General of the USDA. She stated that the disturbing findings from OIG audits are exactly why her team requires a larger budget. She stated that the quick analysis of federal spending must be done in order to catch irregularities and make it easier to police funds.

“With funding streams like these comes the need for oversight to ensure the programs are serving those for whom the assistance is intended,” Fong stated that the USDA received an additional $2.5 million. “billions and billions and billions” Inflation reduction money, infrastructure and pandemic relief within three years.

The OIG is finding it difficult to handle the volume of audits that are being done on dozens upon programs. Fong acknowledged that it’s difficult to provide accurate information. “effective oversight,” Given the rapid growth in USDA funding.

The USDA budget Top out at $218 billion for mandatory and discretionary spending in 2022, with $196 billion on the table for consideration in 2023.

The USDA continues to receive money from the Trump administration, but there is little oversight or regulation. Rep. Andrew Harris (R-Md.) Rep. Andrew Harris (R.Md.) noted that President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act(IRA) had zero dollars included in the budget to allow for OIG oversight.

However, the IRA will still work. Pay out $19.5 billion will be donated to USDA over the next five-year period.

“This is not the way we should shepherd tax dollars,” Harris said. “These are not our dollars. They are taxpayer dollars.”

Harris expressed concern about USDA spending being too lenient since the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the agency had spent billions of dollars on programs initiatives, many of which did not have congressional authorization.

He stressed that he is becoming. “increasingly concerned” USDA is “stretching its authorities beyond congressional authorization or intent.”

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) supported the call for greater oversight in spending by the OIG. He highlighted data from 2018 OIG and 2019. Reports Here are some examples to show why federal spending needs to be closely monitored.

OIG assessments of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program in 2018 revealed that the USDA granted 300 million to applicants who were not the most qualified for funding. In addition, the auditor noted that there was a shortage of funding. “proper controls” You can find the complete program here.

OIG auditors found that producer records frequently didn’t support claims made on applications in a Market Facilitation Program assessment for 2019. In the final report, it was estimated that the USDA had overpaid 150 313 producers by more $57 million.

Despite large budgets, American farmers are not getting all that much money.

The glassy-winged Sharpshooter, also known as the glassywinged insect, is a serious threat to California’s fertile valleys. However, despite increased USDA funding to control this pest through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) says the money isn’t reaching farmers in her district.

“I’m hearing from a lot of farmers that the resources aren’t there,” Lee stated.

Rep. Daniel Newhouse (R-Wash.) also expressed concern over the APHIS program, which he said appears to have little to no control over their programs.

Newhouse says Newhouse is the best when it comes to managing pests on the farms. “I’m a farmer myself. It’s a constant battle.”

He wanted to know if the OIG could identify which APHIS projects might have fallen. “through the cracks,” During the pandemic.

Steve Rickrode, acting assistant inspector general for audit at the OIG, stated that it was difficult to collect the data necessary to audit APHIS.

Rickrode said that APHIS should take more time to organize its data and cooperate fully with auditors.

“We couldn’t complete some of our audit work,” He said.