[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 206 (Monday, December 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    H.R. 3731, SECRET SERVICE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACT OF 2017

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 18, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the 
importance of passing H.R. 3731, the Secret Service Recruitment and 
Retention Act of 2017, into law.
  Over the years, the United States Secret Service has been plagued 
with morale and attrition issues. In 2016, the Secret Service was 
ranked last among 305 agency subcomponents in the Partnership for 
Public Service's annual Best Places to Work Survey. The morale issues 
stem from a number of factors, but one of the leading factors is agent 
burnout due to inflexible schedules, long shifts, and agents having to 
work and not use their annual leave or potentially not receive overtime 
compensation due to agents reaching their annual allowance pay amount.
  Many of the aforementioned issues cannot be solved by a simple act of 
Congress; however, compensating agents for overtime is one that 
Congress can and should address. H.R. 3731 would provide for agents who 
have hit their overtime pay limits to receive compensation for the 
uncompensated hours they have logged in service to the country.
  While I believe the Secret Service can do more to recruit and retain 
top talent, it is also important for Congress to do its part to not 
leave the current agents uncompensated. Passing this legislation is 
crucial and would be an obvious morale boost for the current agents. I 
urge our colleagues in the Senate to move quickly to pass this 
legislation.

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