On
behalf of the members of the National Association of Farm Service Agency County
Office Employees (NASCOE), I am writing to highlight our concerns with the
ongoing fiscal year 2014 budget negotiations. The current government shutdown and reductions
to salaries and expenses continue to impact our ability to retain county office
employees and meet the demands of America’s farmers and ranchers.
In
order to address our concerns, I urge you to work with the Committee on
Appropriations to provide full benefits to those employees furloughed as a
result of the government shutdown. Our
association members and other Farm Service Agency employees should not be
forced to forfeit their salary and benefits based on Congress’ inability to
fund the federal government.
In
addition, I call on you to include statutory language in the fiscal year 2014
Agriculture Appropriations bill authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to
utilize program funding for Farm Service Agency salaries and expenses. With other Department of Agriculture mission
areas utilizing program dollars, the Farm Service Agency county offices expect
similar authority to address ongoing budget shortfalls.
The
Farm Service Agency’s county office footprint has served American agriculture
for many years through new farm programs and natural disasters. By addressing these two concerns, the United
States Congress can ensure that our offices remain open for business.
In closing, a
government that is open for business ensures the delivery of programs and
services to America’s farmers and ranchers.
Thank
you for your efforts to address our concerns.
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