Bill Clinton: “Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 October 13, 1994 Today I have signed into law H.R. 4217, the Federal Crop…”

“Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 October 13, 1994 Today I have signed into law H.R. 4217, the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. As the name implies, this Act has two purposes. The first is to reform Federal crop insurance and the second is to reorganize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). H.R. 4217 provides the Secretary of Agriculture with the critically needed authority to reorganize USDA so that the Department can meet the challenges of the 21st century. It will be the most ambitious reorganization proposal ever undertaken by the Department. Guided by the principles articulated in the Vice President's National Performance Review, this legislation grants the Secretary authority to pursue more efficiently the goals of improving the prospects for farmers, enhancing the quality of life in rural America, better ensuring food safety, strengthening conservation efforts, and improving nutritional programs. The Secretary will reorganize USDA around six basic missions, improve the Department's accountability and service to customers, reform its field structure, and reduce personnel and costs. Indeed, during 1994-1999, USDA will save $2.4 billion in personnel costs and about $1.3 billion in other costs. The end result will be a more streamlined and responsive Department. This Act also reforms Federal crop insurance to address the frustrations of farmers with the inadequacies of the current system.…”