USDA Cancels Controversial Grant Amid Spending Scrutiny

Clear Facts

• The USDA’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered and canceled a $324,671 grant aimed at increasing DEIA programming within Integrated Pest Management.
• The grant intended to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in Integrated Pest Management, aligning with USDA priorities to advance racial justice.
• Senator Rand Paul emphasized the need for a rescission package to ensure that savings from identifying wasteful spending are realized, as current efforts only delay or temporarily stop spending.

In a significant move to curb government waste, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) affiliate has identified and canceled a peculiar grant. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of the $324,671 grant, which was intended for “Increasing DEIA Programming for Integrated Pest Management.”

DOGE has been instrumental in identifying waste across various government agencies, with more than two dozen affiliates working towards this goal. The discovery of this grant was made during a recent meeting held by DOGE USDA.

The grant aimed to “enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within Integrated Pest Management (IPM).” It acknowledged potential historical exclusion and sought to align with USDA priorities to advance racial justice. The plan included establishing a DEIA foundation through a steering committee and DEIA training for IPM staff.

“The goal is to drive cultural change within the IPM discipline, fostering a more inclusive community reflective of the U.S. population,” the grant summary added.

“Great work @SecRollins @USDA,” the main DOGE account praised, commending the USDA for its efforts in eliminating wasteful spending.

Despite these efforts, Senator Rand Paul’s recent amendment to cut spending by $1.5 trillion failed to pass in the Senate. The measure was rejected 74-26, with many Republicans joining Democrats in blocking it.

Paul remains a vocal advocate for controlling government spending. He highlighted that a rescission package is necessary for the DOGE savings to have a real impact.

“None of the spending has really been eliminated, so they’re finding the waste, they’re talking about it, and it’s the same thing I’ve been doing for a decade, but it has to be sent back,” Paul explained.

He further elaborated that savings only occur when Congress votes to eliminate the spending, allowing the money to return to the Treasury. “We can do this, but not enough people are talking about it,” Paul emphasized, contrasting the current situation with impoundment, which he warned could lead to legal challenges.

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