U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General

[Gavel sounds.] The subcommittee will come to order. Good morning. I'd like to welcome everyone to today's hearing on the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General. Our witness today is Inspector General John Walk. He is accompanied by Nicole Gardner, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, and Yarisis Rivera-Rojas, Acting Assistant Inspector General for Audit. Welcome to all of you. The OIG is an essential partner in our work to ensure that the Department of Agriculture is operating effectively and efficiently. The OIG's work helps to identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in USDA programs, and to ensure that the department is meeting its mission to serve the American people. In fiscal year 2023, OIG's work resulted in 388 indictments, 315 convictions, and over $443 million in monetary results. This is a significant return on investment for the American taxpayer. Today, we will discuss the OIG's budget request for fiscal year 2025, as well as the OIG's ongoing work and priorities. We are particularly interested in the OIG's work to oversee the department's implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These laws provide significant new funding for USDA programs, and it is essential that this funding is used effectively and efficiently. We are also interested in the OIG's work to address the department's long-standing management challenges, such as its financial management and its information technology security. I look forward to hearing from Mr. Walk about the OIG's work and its plans for the future. I now recognize the ranking member, Mr. Bishop, for his opening remarks.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I'd like to join you in welcoming Inspector General Walk and his team to the subcommittee this morning. The Office of Inspector General plays a vital role in ensuring that the Department of Agriculture is accountable to the American people. Your work to investigate and audit USDA programs helps to identify and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, and to ensure that the department is operating effectively and efficiently. I'm particularly interested in your work to oversee the department's nutrition assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. These programs provide essential support to millions of low-income Americans, and it is important that they are operating with integrity. I'm also interested in your work to oversee the department's farm programs, such as the crop insurance program and the commodity programs. These programs provide important support to our nation's farmers and ranchers, and it is essential that they are operating fairly and efficiently. In addition to your work to oversee specific programs, I'm also interested in your work to address the department's cross-cutting management challenges. These challenges, such as the department's financial management and its information technology security, can have a significant impact on the department's ability to achieve its mission. I look forward to hearing from you today about your work and your priorities for the coming year. I'm also interested in hearing your thoughts on how the subcommittee can best support your work. Thank you again for being here today, and I look forward to our discussion. I yield back.

Thank you, Mr. Bishop. Mr. Walk, your full written statement will be included in the record. I now recognize you for your opening remarks.

Thank you, Chairman Harris, Ranking Member Bishop, and members of the subcommittee. I appreciate the opportunity to testify today on the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General. OIG is committed to providing independent and objective oversight of USDA programs and operations. Our work is designed to help the department improve its performance, strengthen its management, and protect the integrity of its programs. In fiscal year 2023, our work resulted in significant accomplishments. We issued 35 audit reports that identified over $148 million in questioned costs and funds to be put to better use. Our investigations resulted in 388 indictments, 315 convictions, and over $443 million in monetary results. These results demonstrate the value of OIG's work to the American taxpayer. For fiscal year 2025, we are requesting $111.5 million. This request will allow us to maintain our current level of oversight and to address emerging challenges. One of our top priorities for fiscal year 2025 is to oversee the department's implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These laws provide significant new funding for USDA programs, and it is essential that this funding is used effectively and efficiently. We are also focused on overseeing the department's nutrition assistance programs, its farm programs, and its management of its information technology and financial systems. We are committed to working with the department and with this subcommittee to ensure that USDA is operating effectively and efficiently and that it is meeting its mission to serve the American people. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify today. I look forward to your questions.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. We will now begin our first round of questions. I'll start by recognizing myself for five minutes. Mr. Walk, in your testimony, you mentioned that one of your top priorities is overseeing the department's implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Can you tell us more about the specific work you are doing in this area and what you have found so far?

Yes, Mr. Chairman. We have a number of ongoing audits and investigations related to the implementation of these laws. For example, we are auditing the department's process for awarding grants and contracts under these laws to ensure that the process is fair and transparent. We are also investigating allegations of fraud and abuse in programs funded by these laws. So far, our work has identified some areas where the department can improve its oversight of these programs. For example, we have found that the department needs to do a better job of monitoring the performance of its grantees and contractors. We have also found that the department needs to improve its internal controls to prevent fraud and abuse.

Thank you. That's very helpful. I'm also interested in your work to oversee the department's nutrition assistance programs. As you know, these programs are a significant part of the department's budget. What are some of the most significant challenges you have identified in these programs, and what is the department doing to address them?

One of the most significant challenges in the nutrition assistance programs is improper payments. In fiscal year 2023, the department estimated that improper payments in the SNAP program totaled over $11 billion. This is a significant amount of money, and it is important that the department takes steps to reduce it. The department is working to address this challenge by improving its data matching and by increasing its oversight of state agencies that administer the program. We are also working with the department to identify and investigate fraud in these programs.

Thank you. My time has expired. I now recognize the ranking member, Mr. Bishop, for five minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Walk, I'd like to follow up on your comments about improper payments in the SNAP program. You mentioned that the department is working to improve its data matching. Can you tell us more about what specific data the department is matching and how this is helping to reduce improper payments?

Yes, Mr. Bishop. The department is matching SNAP participant data with a variety of other data sources, such as social security data, death records, and prison records. This helps to identify individuals who are not eligible for the program. The department is also working to improve its data matching with state agencies to ensure that individuals are not receiving benefits in more than one state.

Thank you. I'm also interested in your work to oversee the department's farm programs. What are some of the most significant challenges you have identified in these programs?

One of the most significant challenges in the farm programs is ensuring that benefits are only provided to eligible producers. We have found that some producers have received benefits for which they were not eligible, either because they did not meet the program's requirements or because they provided false information. We are working with the department to improve its oversight of these programs and to investigate allegations of fraud.

Thank you. My time has expired. I yield back.

Thank you, Mr. Bishop. I now recognize Mr. Aderholt for five minutes.

...the Department of Agriculture. And so, I'm just curious, what is the OIG's role in overseeing the implementation of the ERP and ensuring that the funds are being used as intended? And have you identified any specific areas of concern or potential for fraud or abuse within the program?

Thank you for that question. We have an ongoing audit of the ERP program. We're looking at the controls that the Department has in place to ensure that the payments are accurate and that they're going to eligible producers. We're also looking at the data that the Department is using to make those payments. We have identified some concerns in our preliminary work, and we're continuing to look at those.

And to add to that, on the investigative side, we have several ongoing investigations related to potential fraud in the ERP program. These investigations involve allegations of producers providing false information to obtain payments. We're working closely with our audit colleagues to identify potential areas of risk and to ensure that any fraud is detected and prosecuted.

Thank you. And then, just one more question. I'm curious about the OIG's work on the Thrifty Food Plan.

Yes, we have done significant work on the Thrifty Food Plan. We issued a report last year that identified several concerns with the Department's process for updating the plan. We found that the Department did not follow its own procedures and that the update was not based on sound science.

Thank you. My time has expired. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentlewoman yields back. I now recognize the gentlewoman from Maine, Ms. Pingree.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses for being here today and for the work that you do.

I want to follow up on some of the questions that have been asked about the SNAP program. We know that SNAP is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans, and it's important that the program is operating effectively and efficiently.

I'm particularly concerned about the issue of SNAP skimming. We've seen a significant increase in reports of SNAP benefits being stolen through skimming devices at retailers. This is a devastating loss for families who rely on these benefits to put food on the table. What is the OIG doing to address this issue? And what recommendations do you have for the Department to better protect SNAP benefits from skimming?

Thank you for that question. SNAP skimming is a very serious issue, and it's something that we're very concerned about. We have several ongoing investigations into SNAP skimming operations. These are often sophisticated criminal enterprises that are targeting vulnerable populations. We're working closely with state and local law enforcement, as well as with the Department, to identify and prosecute these individuals. We've also made several recommendations to the Department to improve the security of SNAP benefits, including the use of chip-enabled cards.

Thank you. I think the chip-enabled cards are a very important step. I'm also curious about the OIG's work on the oversight of the WIC program. We know that WIC is another critical program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income women, infants, and children. What are some of the key challenges that you've identified in the WIC program? And what is the OIG doing to address those challenges?

One of the key challenges in the WIC program is ensuring that the program is reaching all eligible participants. We've found that participation rates have been declining in recent years, and we're looking at the reasons for that. We're also looking at the oversight of WIC vendors to ensure that they're complying with program requirements. We've identified some issues with vendor overcharging and other types of fraud. We're working with the Department to improve its oversight of the program and to ensure that it's operating effectively.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's climate change initiatives. We know that the Department has a significant role to play in addressing climate change, and it's important that its programs are effective and that the funds are being used appropriately. What is the OIG's role in overseeing these initiatives? And what are some of the key areas that you're focusing on?

We're focusing on several areas related to the Department's climate change initiatives. We're looking at the implementation of the Department's climate-smart agriculture and forestry programs. We're also looking at the Department's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations. We're focusing on ensuring that the Department has clear goals and metrics for these programs and that it's effectively monitoring and evaluating its progress.

Thank you. I appreciate your work on these important issues. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentlewoman yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Newhouse.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses for being here. I want to follow up on some of the questions that have been asked about the ERP program. As you know, this program is very important to producers in my district who have been impacted by natural disasters.

I'm concerned about the delays in getting these payments out to producers. We've heard from many producers who have been waiting months for their payments. What is the OIG's assessment of the Department's progress in implementing the ERP program? And what are some of the key factors that are contributing to these delays? We're looking at the Department's implementation of the ERP program as part of our ongoing audit. We've identified several factors that are contributing to the delays, including the complexity of the program and the need for the Department to develop new systems and processes. We've also found that the Department has had challenges with data quality and with ensuring that it has the necessary staff to process the applications. We're working with the Department to identify ways to streamline the process and to get the payments out to producers more quickly.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's research programs. We know that the Department's research is critical to the success of American agriculture. What are some of the key challenges that you've identified in the Department's research programs? And what is the OIG doing to address those challenges?

One of the key challenges in the Department's research programs is ensuring that the research is relevant to the needs of producers and that it's being effectively communicated to them. We've found that there's often a disconnect between the research that's being conducted and the challenges that producers are facing on the ground. We're also looking at the oversight of the Department's research grants to ensure that the funds are being used appropriately and that the research is of high quality. We've identified some issues with grant management and with the reporting of research results.

Thank you. I appreciate your work on these important issues. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the gentlewoman from Florida, Ms. Wasserman Schultz.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses for being here today. I want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's food safety programs. We know that food safety is a critical issue for all Americans.

I'm particularly concerned about the issue of foodborne illness outbreaks. We've seen several significant outbreaks in recent years, and it's important that the Department is doing everything it can to prevent these outbreaks and to respond effectively when they do occur. What is the OIG's assessment of the Department's food safety programs? And what are some of the key areas where you think the Department needs to improve? We've done significant work on the Department's food safety programs, and we've identified several areas where the Department needs to improve. One of the key areas is the oversight of imported foods. We've found that the Department's inspection process for imported foods is not always effective and that there are significant gaps in its oversight. We've also identified issues with the Department's response to foodborne illness outbreaks, including delays in identifying the source of the outbreak and in notifying the public. We've made several recommendations to the Department to improve its food safety programs, and we're continuing to monitor its progress.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's civil rights programs. We know that the Department has a long history of discrimination against minority farmers, and it's important that it's doing everything it can to address this issue and to ensure that its programs are accessible to all farmers. What is the OIG's role in overseeing the Department's civil rights programs? And what are some of the key areas that you're focusing on?

We're focusing on several areas related to the Department's civil rights programs. We're looking at the Department's process for handling civil rights complaints and at its efforts to ensure that its programs are accessible to minority farmers. We're also looking at the Department's implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions related to distressed borrowers and to farmers who have experienced discrimination. We're focusing on ensuring that the Department has clear policies and procedures for these programs and that it's effectively monitoring and evaluating its progress.

Thank you. I appreciate your work on these important issues. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentlewoman yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Harris.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses. I want to follow up on some of the questions that have been asked about the SNAP program. As you know, the cost of the SNAP program has increased significantly in recent years.

I'm concerned about the potential for fraud and abuse in the program. We've seen reports of individuals using SNAP benefits to purchase ineligible items or to sell their benefits for cash. What is the OIG doing to address these issues? And what recommendations do you have for the Department to better prevent fraud and abuse in the SNAP program? We're doing a lot to address fraud and abuse in the SNAP program. We have several ongoing investigations into SNAP trafficking and other types of fraud. We're also working with the Department to improve its oversight of the program and to develop new tools and techniques for detecting fraud. We've made several recommendations to the Department to improve the security of SNAP benefits and to strengthen its oversight of retailers. We're also focusing on ensuring that the Department is effectively monitoring and evaluating the performance of state agencies in administering the program.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's international programs. We know that the Department's international programs are important for promoting American agricultural exports and for providing food assistance to people in need around the world. What are some of the key challenges that you've identified in the Department's international programs? And what is the OIG doing to address those challenges?

One of the key challenges in the Department's international programs is ensuring that the programs are effective and that the funds are being used appropriately. We've found that there are often challenges with monitoring and evaluating the performance of these programs, particularly in conflict-affected areas. We're also looking at the oversight of the Department's international food assistance programs to ensure that the food is reaching the intended recipients and that it's of high quality. We've identified some issues with supply chain management and with the reporting of program results.

Thank you. I appreciate your work on these important issues. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Bishop.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses for being here today. I want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's rural development programs. We know that these programs are critical for supporting rural communities.

I'm particularly concerned about the issue of broadband access in rural areas. We know that many rural communities still lack access to high-speed internet, and this is a significant barrier to economic development. What is the OIG's assessment of the Department's rural broadband programs? And what are some of the key areas where you think the Department needs to improve? We've done significant work on the Department's rural broadband programs, and we've identified several areas where the Department needs to improve. One of the key areas is the oversight of broadband grants and loans. We've found that the Department's process for awarding these grants and loans is not always transparent and that there are significant challenges with monitoring the performance of the recipients. We've also identified issues with the Department's data on broadband access, which makes it difficult to effectively target its programs. We've made several recommendations to the Department to improve its rural broadband programs, and we're continuing to monitor its progress.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's forestry programs. We know that the Department's forestry programs are important for managing our national forests and for supporting the forest products industry. What are some of the key challenges that you've identified in the Department's forestry programs? And what is the OIG doing to address those challenges?

One of the key challenges in the Department's forestry programs is ensuring that the programs are effective and that the funds are being used appropriately. We've found that there are often challenges with monitoring and evaluating the performance of these programs, particularly in areas related to wildfire prevention and forest restoration. We're also looking at the oversight of the Department's timber sales to ensure that the sales are being conducted fairly and that the Department is receiving a fair return for the timber. We've identified some issues with contract management and with the reporting of program results.

Thank you. I appreciate your work on these important issues. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Harris.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one more question. I'm curious about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's efforts to address the opioid crisis in rural areas.

We know that the opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on rural communities, and the Department has several programs that are intended to address this issue. What is the OIG's assessment of the Department's efforts? And what are some of the key areas where you think the Department needs to improve? We're looking at the Department's efforts to address the opioid crisis as part of our ongoing work. We've identified several areas where the Department needs to improve, including the coordination of its programs with other federal agencies and with state and local partners. We've also found that the Department needs to improve its data on the impact of the opioid crisis in rural areas, which makes it difficult to effectively target its programs. We're working with the Department to identify ways to improve its efforts and to ensure that its programs are reaching the people who need them most.

Thank you. I appreciate your work on this important issue. I yield back.

Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Newhouse.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have one more question as well. I'm curious about the OIG's work on the oversight of the Department's efforts to address the issue of foreign ownership of American agricultural land.

We know that this is a growing concern for many Americans, and it's important that the Department is effectively monitoring and reporting on foreign ownership. What is the OIG's assessment of the Department's efforts? And what are some of the key areas where you think the Department needs to improve?

The subcommittee will come back to order. I now recognize the gentlelady from Illinois, Ms. Underwood, for five minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome to our witnesses. Last year, the OIG released an audit report on the USDA's oversight of the Animal Welfare Act. The report found that the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, failed to take enforcement action against several facilities that were in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. In one case, APHIS failed to take action against a facility that had over 100 violations of the Animal Welfare Act over a three-year period. This is unacceptable. The Animal Welfare Act was enacted to ensure that animals are treated humanely, and it is the USDA's responsibility to enforce it. Mr. Walk, what steps is the OIG taking to ensure that APHIS is properly enforcing the Animal Welfare Act and taking appropriate enforcement action against facilities that are in violation?

Thank you for that question, Congresswoman. As you noted, our audit did find significant deficiencies in APHIS's oversight and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act. We made several recommendations to APHIS to improve its processes, including developing a more robust enforcement strategy and ensuring that inspectors are properly trained on how to identify and document violations. We are currently monitoring APHIS's progress in implementing these recommendations. We also have ongoing work in this area, including an audit of APHIS's oversight of research facilities and an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty at several facilities. We take our responsibility to oversee the USDA's animal welfare programs very seriously, and we will continue to hold the department accountable for ensuring that animals are treated humanely.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I appreciate your commitment to this issue. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the USDA's nutrition assistance programs. Last year, the OIG released a report on the USDA's oversight of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The report found that the USDA failed to properly oversee the program, leading to billions of dollars in improper payments. Mr. Walk, what steps is the OIG taking to ensure that the USDA is properly overseeing SNAP and reducing improper payments?

Thank you for that question, Congresswoman. SNAP is one of the USDA's largest and most important programs, and it is critical that it is properly overseen to ensure that benefits are going to those who need them and that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively. Our audit did find significant deficiencies in the USDA's oversight of SNAP, and we made several recommendations to the department to improve its processes. These recommendations include developing a more robust data analytics program to identify potential fraud and improper payments and ensuring that states are properly implementing the program's requirements. We are currently monitoring the USDA's progress in implementing these recommendations. We also have ongoing work in this area, including an audit of the USDA's oversight of SNAP retailers and an investigation into allegations of SNAP fraud in several states. We will continue to work closely with the USDA to ensure that SNAP is properly overseen and that improper payments are reduced.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I appreciate your work on these important issues. I yield back.

The gentlelady yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Franklin, for five minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses for being here today. Mr. Walk, I want to follow up on some of the questions that have been asked about the OIG's work on the USDA's oversight of foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land. As you know, there is growing concern about the national security implications of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, particularly by countries like China. Your office recently released a report on this issue, which found that the USDA's oversight of foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land is inadequate. Can you elaborate on the findings of that report and what recommendations you made to the USDA to improve its oversight?

Thank you for that question, Congressman. Our audit found that the USDA's oversight of foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land is indeed inadequate. Specifically, we found that the USDA does not have a robust process for identifying and tracking foreign investments in U.S. farmland, and it does not properly verify the information that is reported by foreign investors. We also found that the USDA does not have a clear strategy for assessing the national security risks associated with foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. We made several recommendations to the USDA to improve its oversight, including developing a more robust process for identifying and tracking foreign investments, ensuring that the information reported by foreign investors is properly verified, and developing a clear strategy for assessing national security risks. The USDA has agreed with our recommendations and is currently working to implement them. We will continue to monitor the department's progress in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the USDA's oversight of the meat and poultry industry. As you know, there have been several high-profile incidents of foodborne illness linked to meat and poultry products in recent years. Your office has done a lot of work in this area, including audits of the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, or FSIS. What are some of the key findings of your work in this area, and what recommendations have you made to FSIS to improve food safety?

Thank you for that question, Congressman. Food safety is one of our top priorities, and we have done extensive work in this area. Our audits of FSIS have found several areas where the agency can improve its oversight of the meat and poultry industry. For example, we have found that FSIS needs to improve its processes for identifying and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks, and it needs to ensure that its inspectors are properly trained and have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. We have also found that FSIS needs to improve its oversight of the industry's implementation of food safety standards. We have made several recommendations to FSIS to improve food safety, including developing a more robust process for identifying and responding to outbreaks, ensuring that inspectors are properly trained and have the resources they need, and improving oversight of the industry's implementation of food safety standards. FSIS has agreed with our recommendations and is currently working to implement them. We will continue to monitor the agency's progress in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I yield back.

The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the gentlelady from Iowa, Ms. Hinson, for five minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses for being here. Mr. Walk, I want to ask about the OIG's work on the USDA's oversight of the crop insurance program. As you know, crop insurance is a critical safety net for farmers in Iowa and across the country. However, there have been concerns about fraud and abuse in the program. Your office has done a lot of work in this area, including audits of the USDA's Risk Management Agency, or RMA. What are some of the key findings of your work in this area, and what recommendations have you made to RMA to improve the integrity of the crop insurance program?

Thank you for that question, Congresswoman. Ensuring the integrity of the crop insurance program is a top priority for our office. Our audits of RMA have found several areas where the agency can improve its oversight of the program. For example, we have found that RMA needs to improve its processes for identifying and investigating potential fraud and abuse, and it needs to ensure that its data analytics program is being used effectively to identify suspicious activity. We have also found that RMA needs to improve its oversight of the private insurance companies that participate in the program. We have made several recommendations to RMA to improve the integrity of the crop insurance program, including developing a more robust process for identifying and investigating potential fraud and abuse, ensuring that its data analytics program is being used effectively, and improving oversight of private insurance companies. RMA has agreed with our recommendations and is currently working to implement them. We will continue to monitor the agency's progress in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I appreciate that. I also want to ask about the OIG's work on the USDA's oversight of the rural development programs. As you know, these programs provide critical funding for infrastructure, housing, and business development in rural communities. However, there have been concerns about the effectiveness of these programs and whether they are reaching the communities that need them most. Your office has done a lot of work in this area, including audits of the USDA's Rural Development agency. What are some of the key findings of your work in this area, and what recommendations have you made to Rural Development to improve the effectiveness of its programs?

Thank you for that question, Congresswoman. Our work on Rural Development programs has found several areas where the agency can improve its effectiveness. For example, we have found that Rural Development needs to improve its processes for assessing the needs of rural communities and ensuring that its programs are reaching the communities that need them most. We have also found that the agency needs to improve its oversight of the projects that it funds to ensure that they are being implemented effectively and that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently. We have made several recommendations to Rural Development to improve the effectiveness of its programs, including developing a more robust process for assessing the needs of rural communities, ensuring that its programs are reaching the communities that need them most, and improving oversight of the projects that it funds. Rural Development has agreed with our recommendations and is currently working to implement them. We will continue to monitor the agency's progress in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I yield back.

The gentlelady yields back. I now recognize the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Cline, for five minutes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses. Mr. Walk, I want to ask about the OIG's work on the USDA's oversight of the forest service. As you know, the forest service is responsible for managing millions of acres of public land, and it plays a critical role in protecting our natural resources. However, there have been concerns about the agency's management of its programs, particularly its wildfire suppression efforts. Your office has done a lot of work in this area, including audits of the forest service's wildfire suppression programs. What are some of the key findings of your work in this area, and what recommendations have you made to the forest service to improve its management of wildfire suppression efforts?

Thank you for that question, Congressman. Wildfire suppression is a critical and increasingly costly mission for the forest service. Our work in this area has found several areas where the agency can improve its management of wildfire suppression efforts. For example, we have found that the forest service needs to improve its processes for planning and budgeting for wildfire suppression, and it needs to ensure that it has the resources it needs to respond effectively to wildfires. We have also found that the agency needs to improve its oversight of the contractors that it uses for wildfire suppression. We have made several recommendations to the forest service to improve its management of wildfire suppression efforts, including developing a more robust process for planning and budgeting, ensuring that it has the resources it needs, and improving oversight of contractors. The forest service has agreed with our recommendations and is currently working to implement them. We will continue to monitor the agency's progress in this area.

Thank you, Mr. Walk. I yield back. ...and so, I'm concerned about the degree of autonomy that some of these OIG offices have. This is not a reflection on you, but it's a reflection on the system. And I'm wondering if there's a way to ensure that there is more accountability for the OIG offices to the departments that they serve. Because right now, it seems like they can just go off on their own and do whatever they want without any oversight. And that's a problem. So, I'm wondering if you have any thoughts on how we can improve the accountability of the OIG offices to the departments that they serve.

Well, I think that's a very important question, and it's one that we've been thinking about a lot. And I think there are a few things that could be done.

First of all, I think it's important to remember that the OIG is an independent office. And that independence is very important for us to be able to do our jobs effectively. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be accountable. And I think there are a few ways that we can be more accountable. One way is through the budget process. Another way is through the reporting process. We report to Congress, and we also report to the Secretary. And I think those reporting requirements are very important. And I think we can also be more transparent about our work. We can publish more of our reports, and we can make more of our data available to the public. And I think that would go a long way toward improving our accountability.

Thank you. I appreciate that. And I think those are all very good suggestions.

Thank you.

I have no further questions. I yield back.

Thank you. I appreciate that. And I think those are all very good suggestions.

Thank you.

I'd like to follow up on some of the questions that have been asked about the SNAP program. We've seen a lot of reports lately about fraud and abuse in the program. And I'm wondering what the OIG is doing to address that. I know you've done some audits and investigations, but I'm wondering if you think there's more that could be done. For example, do you think we need more resources for investigations? Or do you think we need to change the laws to make it easier to prosecute people who commit fraud?

Well, I think those are both very important points. And I think we do need more resources for investigations. We've been asking for more resources for a long time, and we haven't always gotten them. And I think we also need to look at the laws. There are some things that we could do to make it easier to prosecute people who commit fraud. For example, we could increase the penalties for fraud. And we could also make it easier to share information between different agencies.

Thank you. I think those are all very good points. And I think we need to continue to work on this issue. It's a very important one.

I agree.

I have no further questions. I yield back.

Thank you. I appreciate that. And I think those are all very good suggestions.

Thank you. I appreciate that. And I think those are all very good suggestions.

Thank you.

I'd like to thank our witnesses for being here today. This has been a very informative hearing. And I think we've learned a lot about the work that the OIG is doing.

I'd like to follow up on some of the questions that have been asked about the SNAP program. We've seen a lot of reports lately about fraud and abuse in the program. And I'm wondering what the OIG is doing to address that. I know you've done some audits and investigations, but I'm wondering if you think there's more that could be done. For example, do you think we need more resources for investigations? Or do you think we need to change the laws to make it easier to prosecute people who commit fraud?

Well, I think those are both very important points. And I think we do need more resources for investigations. We've been asking for more resources for a long time, and we haven't always gotten them. And I think we also need to look at the laws. There are some things that we could do to make it easier to prosecute people who commit fraud. For example, we could increase the penalties for fraud. And we could also make it easier to share information between different agencies.

Thank you. I think those are all very good points. And I think we need to continue to work on this issue. It's a very important one.

I agree.

I have no further questions. I yield back.

Well, I think those are both very important points. And I think we do need more resources for investigations. We've been asking for more resources for a long time, and we haven't always gotten them. And I think we also need to look at the laws. There are some things that we could do to make it easier to prosecute people who commit fraud. For example, we could increase the penalties for fraud. And we could also make it easier to share information between different agencies.

Thank you. I think those are all very good points. And I think we need to continue to work on this issue. It's a very important one.

I agree.

I have no further questions. I yield back.

Well, I think those are both very important points. And I think we do need more resources for investigations. We've been asking for more resources for a long time, and we haven't always gotten them. And I think we also need to look at the laws. There are some things that we could do to make it easier to prosecute people who commit fraud. For example, we could increase the penalties for fraud. And we could also make it easier to share information between different agencies.

Thank you. I think those are all very good points. And I think we need to continue to work on this issue. It's a very important one.

I'd like to thank our witnesses for being here today. This has been a very informative hearing. And I think we've learned a lot about the work that the OIG is doing.

I have no further questions. I yield back.

I agree.

I'd like to thank our witnesses for being here today. This has been a very informative hearing. And I think we've learned a lot about the work that the OIG is doing. [Gavel sounds.]