A coalition of rural organizations, including the Center for Rural Affairs, is calling on Congress to restore the rural development arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with the undersecretary position. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue is reorganizing USDA and creating an Undersecretary for Trade. Rural Affairs Policy Program Director Johnathan Hladik says they’re not opposed to that position, but also want an Undersecretary of Rural Development.

He says Secretary Perdue’s reorganization plan follows the President’s budget, which calls for cuts to the USDA.

Hladik says Congress’s recent approval of the continuing budget resolution did not take into account the President’s proposed USDA cuts.

In their letter, the coalition noted that Rural Development has a $216 billion portfolio with over 40 different programs.