Bill enhances border patrol personnel compensation process

Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX), Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced last week a measure designed to streamline and amend the overtime payment process, enabling border patrol personnel greater compensation flexibility.

The Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Amendment Act of 2019 (H.R. 1392) seeks to provide border patrol authorities flexibility to be properly compensated for the jobs they perform.

“The men and women of Border Patrol have highly demanding jobs and are our most important assets on the front line,” Hurd said. “We must take care of them and ensure that they are being compensated for the grueling hours they put in to secure our borders. These brave agents deserve certainty each time they receive their paychecks and I will continue to stand by the folks who put their lives on the line to keep Americans safe.”

Torres Small said in his southern border district, the recruitment and retention of Border Patrol personnel is a major concern, especially in New Mexico’s remote Bootheel region.

“The brave men and women protecting our border deserve to be fairly and efficiently compensated for their work,” he said. “This legislation is a step in the right direction in increasing the recruitment and retention of qualified Border Patrol agents.”

Cuellar said in recent years the Border Patrol has faced severe recruitment and retention challenges due to the dangerous and demanding nature of the jobs they perform.

“Because they have been unsuccessful in sustaining their staffing requirements, a large number of agents are either retiring or leaving for other law enforcement jobs that offer better pay and more stable hours,” he said. “This naturally puts our homeland is at risk. The Act would help address Border Patrol recruitment and retention.”