Analysis: Outlays skyrocket at USDA, Veterans Affairs, other agencies

(Pixabay)

Topline: Spending at the Department of Agriculture increased by 339% between 2000 and 2024, while staff numbers fell, OpenTheBooks found in its third and final review of federal agency spending trends.

Key facts: USDA spent $75 billion in 2000 with a staff of 106,715. By 2024, its staff headcount had fallen to 92,072, but the agency spent $255 billion.

Top salaries also increased recently at USDA. In 2023, the top paid official earned $252,840, the most ever for the agency at the time.