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House Ag Committee quizzes Vilsack on sequestration plan

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the House Agriculture Committee today to discuss the state the rural economy.  However, as the hearing got underway, committee leaders were more interested in how Secretary Vilsack plans to deal with sequestration budget cuts to his department—especially furloughs of USDA meat inspectors.

Here is an excerpt from the first hour of the hearing, with Vilsack being quizzed by committee chair Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, ranking member Collin Peterson of Minnesota, and committee member Steve King of Iowa.

AUDIO: Excerpt from House Ag Committee hearing 3/5/13 (13:27 MP3)