Dear USDA colleagues,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has an enormous mission, and I am constantly impressed by our team’s talent and resolve in meeting it, even in challenging circumstances. Over the past couple of weeks, as debt ceiling negotiations unfolded, I realize that many of you have had questions about the future of projects and policies you’ve invested in, about our department’s budget going forward, and even about the broader economy.

I know it can be difficult to carry out work in times of uncertainty, and I want to recognize that while sending a special thanks to each of you. Throughout this process, President Biden and Speaker McCarthy repeatedly committed that defaulting on our nation’s debt is not an option. Over the weekend, they reached a bipartisan budget agreement known as the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which is now up to Congress to review and pass into law.

Importantly, this agreement has begun to restore certainty for USDA and for the people we serve. As the president said in his speech from the White House on Sunday, the bipartisan budget agreement is a step forward. It takes the threat of catastrophic default off the table, and it protects our hard-earned and historic economic recovery.

While we are still working to understand the full impacts of the Fiscal Responsibility Act for USDA, I am confident that USDA is well positioned to manage through the proposed recessions, policy changes, and budget caps while continuing to deliver on our mission. And while we talk often about our important mission as the People’s Department, our employees are our most critical asset. Please know that through thick and thin, doing right by USDA employees and continuing our efforts to make USDA a best place to work will remain a top priority for me and the full USDA leadership team.

Sincerely, 
Secretary Tom Vilsack

See this and other leadership announcements on OneUSDA.