LaHood defends restoration of funds to keep Peoria USDA lab open

Posted on July 23, 2017
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood says other USDA labs should consolidate with the one in Peoria. (Photo Google Street View)

By Illinois Radio Network

PEORIA – Take another one of President Donald Trump’s budget cuts off the chopping block. Congress has saved the USDA laboratory in Peoria, even as the city’s congressman says he still wants to see federal budget cuts.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said the federal government absolutely must cut spending, just not the spending for Peoria’s USDA laboratory.

LaHood is defending the move to save the agriculture lab in Peoria. The congressman said he’d like to see other USDA labs across the country closed.

“There are four regional ag labs around the country, and then there are 12 smaller ag labs,” LaHood said. “I think there are efficiencies that can be made in the Department of Agriculture.”

LaHood said Illinois’ congressmen need to a better job of highlighting the good work from federal facilities like the ag lab.

“What I’ve said is, ‘Let’s consolidate some of those smaller labs, and move them to Peoria,'” LaHood said. “Instead of having 17 [smaller labs] let’s have six or seven, and consolidate down to the four regional labs.”

The lab in Peoria is one of several projects saved this month by a Congressional committee from President Trump’s budget cuts.

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