[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




URGING COSPONSORSHIP OF THE BORDER PATROL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACT

  (Mr. REYES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to urge my colleagues to 
cosponsor a bill that the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and 
I are introducing today, the Border Control Recruitment and Retention 
Act.
  This bill will correct a longstanding problem within the INS, and 
begins to address some of the recruitment and retention problems we 
have heard so much about lately. This bill is not a cure-all. It is, 
however, a step in the right direction.
  I will continue to work with my colleagues on legislation for 
comprehensive pay reform for the United States Border Patrol. Currently 
most Border Patrol agents are kept at the GS-9 Journeyman level, with 
only 30 percent of the work force actually working at GS-11, even 
though their work is much more comprehensive.
  The bill we are introducing today states that any GS-9 with a current 
rating of fully successful will automatically qualify for GS-11. What 
does this mean? It means that on the average, Border Patrol agents will 
move from a salary of about $34,000 a year to a salary of about 
$41,000. It addresses a pay disparity. It is fitting that we introduce 
this legislation today and push for its passage this year, which is the 
United States Border Patrol's 7th anniversary.
  I believe that this is the least we can do for an agency that is at 
the front line of the defense for this country.

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