Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney says moving the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City is a “wonderful way” to shrink the federal government because many employees are quitting, Politico reports.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced June 13 that he is moving the agencies to Kansas City. The agencies do research and provide reports to Congress and the public. Perdue says the move will save $20 million a year and bring the agencies closer to customers.

However, the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association says the move will cost taxpayers $37 million to $128 million.

ERS and NIFA employees were expected to be able to change their status on acceptance of the move through September, but Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue walked that commitment back in a July 24 letter to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, according to Government Executive.

Deputy undersecretary for research, education and economics Scott Hutchins said the agencies will rebuild with new hires when settled in Kansas City, according to a Roll Call report.