Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 6/27/19

A group of Senate Democrats is calling for an Inspector General investigation into USDA's burying of climate studies, as well as claims of retaliation against economists who produce reports that don't align with the Trump administration's priorities, both first reported by POLITICO.

In a letter to the IG, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Senate Agriculture ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and 17 other senators asked the department's internal watchdog to look into "potential instances of suppression and alteration of scientific reports, documents, or communications" produced by USDA.

They said one case reported by POLITICO this week, in which USDA sought to dissuade its research partners from disseminating their findings about nutrition losses in rice stemming from elevated CO2 levels, was "particularly concerning" because it suggested to universities "that climate-related research is not to be promoted."

The Democrats are also seeking answers about any "instances of retaliation and political decision-making" related to USDA's production of other scientific reports, like studies that have shed unflattering light on President Donald Trump's tax and trade policies.

"While recent reporting has brought these troubling accusations to light, prior surveys have illustrated ongoing concerns among USDA staff," they wrote.

More 2020 Dems pile on: A couple Democrats running for president signed onto the IG letter, including Kamala Harris (Calif.), Cory Booker (N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.). Sens. Michael Bennet(Colo) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) earlier this week sent their own letters to USDA seeking answers. Andrew Yang, a tech entrepreneur running for president, also criticized the administration.