[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4401-S4402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1118. Ms. SMITH (for herself and Mr. Ricketts) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1092 submitted by 
Mrs. Murray (for herself and Ms. Collins) and intended to be proposed 
to the bill H.R. 4366, making appropriations for military construction, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place in division B, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. ___. (a) It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Congress is concerned about staffing challenges faced 
     by the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service at the county level; and
       (2) Congress supports the Farm Service Agency and the 
     Natural Resources Conservation Service in quickly filling 
     hiring gaps, improving retention, and bringing pay for staff 
     to competitive standards to improve public-facing customer 
     service, particularly in rural areas.
       (b) Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to 
     Congress a report describing a plan for improving staffing at 
     the

[[Page S4402]]

     Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation 
     Service at the county level, including recommendations for 
     actions that Congress may take.
                                 ______