The USDA is shrinking payments offered to employees who applied for buyouts rather than relocate to the greater Kansas City area, said a union of employees at USDA research wings. The one-time payouts are being reduced from $25,000 to $10,000 to accommodate the volume of applications. A USDA spokesperson said the change was made in order to offer payments to all eligible employees, rather than offer only the higher amount on a first-come, first-served basis. (The Hill)