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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Senate Passes Bipartisan Border Patrol Agents’ Pay Fix

A bipartisan Senate bill, S 1356, to make sure Border Patrol agents are paid their agreed-upon compensation was passed by the Senate Tuesday. It’s the companion to House bill HR 2252, which was sent to the president to sign after passing the Senate unanimously.

The legislation clarifies that certain provisions of the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 will not take effect until after the Director of the Office of Personnel Management promulgates and makes effective regulations relating to such provisions.

The Senate bill was introduced and shepherded through the Senate process by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The bill, like its Senate companion, clarifies provisions of the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014. Johnson introduced S 1356 to reinstate overtime pay for Customs and Border Protection agents after the Department of Homeland Security advised the House Committee on Governmental Affairs that it would no longer make overtime payments to the agents.

The department argued it cannot make such payments until a new pay system, created by the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014, is implemented at the end of this year. Beginning two weeks ago, Border Patrol agents saw a surprise reduction in their pay – something completely unintended by Congress.
Johnson and his colleagues on the Senate Homeland Security committee “acted swiftly to reinstate the earned overtime pay and ensure back payments would be made for overtime hours already worked,” the committee said in a statement.”

Ranking member and former chairman of the committee Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) co-sponsored Johnson’s legislation, which passed the Senate on May 14. After the House passed a companion bill the same day, the Senate took up the House-passed version to ensure quick final passage so border patrol agents would not have to endure another reduced paycheck.

The bill will have a significant impact on the financial well-being of the men and women who protect the nation’s borders.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, thanked Johnson and the cosponsors for their “tireless effort to resolve this conflict and protect our agents and their families.” He also noted that it is “encouraging when leaders in Washington go to battle for us.”

Senate Passes Bipartisan Border Patrol Agents’ Pay Fix Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Today
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.
Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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