$554 Billion in USDA Waste? The Case for a Unified Welfare System

In this episode of American Potential, host David From continues the Big Ideas for Smaller Government series with AFP Policy Director Jeremiah Mosteller to explore a staggering opportunity for reform: a unified verification system for all federal welfare and assistance programs. By streamlining the maze of 80 uncoordinated programs—many run by the USDA—American taxpayers could save over $554 billion, nearly doubling the running total of identified savings in the series to over $1 trillion.

The conversation sheds light on how the U.S. Department of Agriculture has quietly ballooned into an agency funding not only nutrition and farming but also jails and international climate hubs—spending $20 million to teach fertilizer use in countries like Brazil and Pakistan.

Jeremiah shares domestic and international models—like Project Unity in Texas and Estonia’s revolutionary e-verification system—that prove how centralized systems can improve services, protect privacy, and eliminate waste.

This episode shows how smart policy, not slashed benefits, can lead to massive savings and stronger outcomes for those in need. It's a roadmap for Congress—and a challenge to rethink how government assistance is delivered.

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