Some 46 million people live in rural America, scattered across 72 percent of the U.S. landmass, and conditions in many rural communities “are incredibly challenging,” said Anne Hazlett, recently installed as head of the USDA’s rural economic development programs. During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Hazlett agreed that “resources will be needed” for rural growth but deflected questions about whether more federal dollars should go into the programs.
“You have my commitment to steward whatever resources are provided,” Hazlett responded when Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy asked about funding needs. She repeated the answer when Leahy asked a second time. “To steward them, you are going to have to ask for them,” replied Leahy, the senior Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees USDA funding.
Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts intervened to say, “I’m sure we are going to receive a call” from Hazlett or Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue with suggestions for rural development programs and funding when the committee drafts the 2018 farm bill.
President Trump requested the elimination of many rural development programs in his budget proposal for fiscal 2018. Lawmakers have ignored that request. Hazlett did not mention the White House proposal during her testimony.
Many rural communities lack the elements they need to prosper, so young people move away. “Robust modern infrastructure is a necessity — not an amenity — for rural America. Whether we are talking about broadband, healthcare services, or structurally sound roads and bridges, these are critical components for a community, farm, or rural business, not just to survive, but actually thrive,” Hazlett said.
Perdue has called high-speed internet the water, sewer, and highway of modern life. Several Agriculture Committee members described the limited reach of high-speed service into rural areas. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet said the gaps in service were tantamount to denying textbooks to students. “This is another place we are failing to invest,” he said. When Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen also raised the internet issue, Hazlett responded, “Secretary Perdue sets a top priority on broadband in rural America.”
Hazlett, a former Indiana agriculture director, was hired by Perdue in mid-June for the post of assistant to the secretary for rural development. It was part of a reorganization at the USDA that had pruned away the post of undersecretary for rural development. The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a USDA funding bill that would restore the undersecretary slot and require Perdue to appoint someone to it.
To watch a video of the hearing or to read the written testimony of witnesses, click here. To read opening statements by Roberts and senior Democrat Debbie Stabenow, click here.