On May 11, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the USDA would undergo its first reorganization since 1994. While most of the reorganization relates to trade through the creation of a new Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, the plan would also eliminate the position of Undersecretary for Rural Development and have the Rural Development agencies report directly to the Secretary. This reorganization was proposed as the Administration seeks to dramatically cut funding for rural housing and development programs. While USDA claims that removing the subcabinet position elevates rural development issues closer to the Secretary, critics worry that the reorganization would reduce the importance of rural development within USDA.