[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H7437-H7440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MORE BORDER PATROL AGENTS NOW ACT OF 2006
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 6160) to recruit and retain Border Patrol agents.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 6160
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``More Border Patrol Agents
Now Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2. BORDER PATROL AGENT ENHANCEMENT.
(a) Plan.--In order to address the recruitment and
retention challenges faced by the United States Border
Patrol, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, not later
than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act,
submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Government Reform of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a plan to determine how
the Border Patrol can better recruit and retain Border Patrol
agents with the appropriate skills and training to
effectively carry out its mission and responsibilities.
(b) Contents.--The plan shall include, at a minimum, the
following components:
(1) A strategy for the utilization of the recruitment
authority provided in subsection (a) of section 9702 of title
5, United States Code (as added by section 3), as well as any
other strategies the Secretary determines to be important in
recruiting well-qualified Border Patrol agents.
(2) A strategy for the utilization of the retention
authority provided in subsection (b) of section 9702 of title
5, United States Code (as added by section 3), as well as any
other strategies the Secretary determines to be important in
retaining well-qualified Border Patrol agents.
(3) An assessment of the impact that current pay levels for
Border Patrol agents has on the Department's ability to
recruit and retain Border Patrol agents, especially in high
cost-of-living areas.
(4) An assessment of whether increased opportunities for
Border Patrol agents to transfer between duty stations would
improve employee morale and enhance the Department's ability
to recruit and retain well-qualified Border Patrol agents.
SEC. 3. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BONUSES FOR BORDER PATROL
AGENT ENHANCEMENT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 97 of title 5, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 9702. Border Patrol agent enhancement
``(a) Recruitment Bonuses for Border Patrol Agents.--
``(1) In general.--In order to carry out the plan described
in section 2(a) of the More Border Patrol Agents Now Act of
2006, the Secretary of Homeland Security may pay a bonus to
an individual to recruit a sufficient number of Border Patrol
agents.
``(2) Bonus amount.--
``(A) In general.--The amount of a bonus under this
subsection shall be determined by the Secretary, but may not
exceed 25 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of the
position involved as of the beginning of the period of
service referred to in paragraph (3)(A).
``(B) Lump-sum.--A bonus under this subsection shall be
paid in the form of a lump-sum payment and shall not be
considered to be part of basic pay.
``(3) Service agreements.--Payment of a bonus under this
section shall be contingent upon the individual entering into
a written service agreement with the United States Border
Patrol. The agreement shall include--
``(A) the period of service the individual shall be
required to complete in return for the bonus; and
``(B) the conditions under which the agreement may be
terminated before the agreed-upon service period has been
completed, and the effect of such termination.
``(4) Limitation on eligibility.--A bonus under this
section may not be paid to recruit an individual for--
``(A) a position to which an individual is appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;
``(B) a position in the Senior Executive Service as a
noncareer appointee (as defined in section 3132(a)); or
``(C) a position which has been excepted from the
competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy-
determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.
``(5) Termination.--The authority to pay bonuses under this
subsection shall terminate five years after the date of the
enactment of this section.
``(b) Retention Bonuses for Border Patrol Agents.--
``(1) In general.--In order to carry out the plan described
in section 2(a) of the More Border Patrol Agents Now Act of
2006, the Secretary of Homeland Security may pay a retention
bonus to a Border Patrol agent.
``(2) Service agreement.--Payment of a bonus under this
subsection is contingent upon the employee entering into a
written service agreement with the United States Border
Patrol to complete a period of service with the Border
Patrol. Such agreement shall include--
``(A) the period of service the employee shall be required
to complete in return for the bonus; and
``(B) the conditions under which the agreement may be
terminated before the agreed-upon service period has been
completed, and the effect of such termination.
``(3) Bonus amount.--
``(A) In general.--The amount of a bonus under this
subsection shall be determined by the Secretary, but may not
exceed 25 percent of the annual rate of basic pay of the
position involved as of the beginning of the period of
service referred to in paragraph (2)(A).
``(B) Lump-sum.--A bonus under this subsection shall be
paid in the form of a lump-sum payment and shall not be
considered to be part of basic pay.
``(4) Limitation.--A bonus under this subsection may not be
based on any period of service which is the basis for a
recruitment bonus under subsection (a).
``(5) Termination of authority.--The authority to grant
bonuses under this subsection shall expire five years after
the date of the enactment of this section.
``(c) Waiver Authority Relating to Reemployed Annuitants.--
``(1) In general.--In order to help address the challenges
faced by the United States Border Patrol, the Secretary of
Homeland Security may appoint annuitants to positions within
the United States Border Patrol in accordance with succeeding
provisions of this subsection.
``(2) Exclusion from offset.--An annuitant serving in a
position within the United States Border Patrol pursuant to
an appointment made under paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall not be subject to the provisions of section
8344 or 8468, as the case may be; and
``(B) shall not, for purposes of subchapter III of chapter
83 or chapter 84, be considered an employee.
``(3) Limitations.--
``(A) Appointments.--The authority to make any appointments
under paragraph (1) shall terminate five years after the date
of the enactment of this subsection.
``(B) Exclusion.--The provisions of paragraph (2) shall
not, in the case of any annuitant appointed under paragraph
(1), remain in effect--
``(i) with respect to more than five years of service (in
the aggregate); nor
``(ii) with respect to any service performed after the end
of the ten-year period beginning on the date of the enactment
of this subsection.
``(4) No displacement.--No appointment under this
subsection may be made if such appointment would result in
the displacement of any Border Patrol employee.
``(5) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the
term `annuitant' has the meaning given such term by section
8331 or 8401, as the case may be.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for
chapter 97 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``9702. Border Patrol agent enhancement.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Rogers) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama.
General Leave
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Alabama?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6160, the More
Border Patrol Agents Now Act of 2006. This legislation will help Border
Patrol put agents along our Nation's borders now, quickly and cost
efficiently.
Securing our Nation's borders is an issue that ranks at the top of
the list for many Americans. The President has responded by committing
at least 6,000 new Border Patrol agents on our borders over the next 2
years. I wholeheartedly support this commitment, and the provisions in
my bill will help us reach this goal.
Shockingly, the Border Patrol statistics show that an average of 33
applicants must be vetted before just one is hired. This means that
66,000 applicants must be screened before just 2,000 new agents are
hired.
In addition, Border Patrol typically loses 700 agents annually to
retirements and other law enforcement agencies. My bill addresses these
personnel challenges.
[[Page H7438]]
First, it provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with the
authority to pay recruitment and retention bonuses. Second, it allows
the Border Patrol to rehire recently retired agents.
From the outset, my bill's incentives will encourage highly qualified
individuals to become career Border Patrol agents; and once we make
these investments to train each agent, we should also make sure these
new agents are not recruited away by other law enforcement agencies.
Therefore, retention bonuses are essential to maintaining a premier
workforce.
My legislation also provides authority to the Secretary to rehire
retired Border Patrol agents. While some agents hired recently will be
able to work until age 60, current law requires most agents to retire
at age 57. At a time when the American public is calling for a larger,
stronger Border Patrol, it is wrong to overlook this talent pool. After
all, most of these retired officers can provide cost-effective and
valuable expertise almost immediately.
These officers could not only manage field operations and oversee
agents, but also could serve as instructors. This provision would
ensure the invaluable experience of knowledge of these retired agents
is brought back to the field instead of going unused.
Mr. Speaker, I have toured the southwest border twice and visited the
Border Patrol Training Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. I have heard
firsthand about these personnel concerns from Border Patrol Chief David
Aguilar and from the National Border Patrol Council.
This legislation has been crafted to directly and immediately address
the Border Patrol's concerns. I am proud to note that the National
Border Patrol Council has endorsed the legislation as well. The
National Border Patrol Council president, T.J. Bonner, wrote: ``The
council strongly supports this legislation and urges the United States
House of Representatives to enact it swiftly in order to provide the
Border Patrol with some of the essential tools that it needs in order
to be able to recruit and retain well-qualified individuals to help
secure our borders,'' and I include the entire letter for the Record.
National Border Patrol Council of the American Federation
of Government Employees,
Campo, CA, September 25, 2006.
Hon. Mike Rogers,
Chairman, Subcommittee on Management, Integration, and
Oversight, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Rogers: The National Border Patrol Council
appreciates your leadership on homeland security issues, and
is especially grateful for your commitment to ensure that the
Border Patrol has adequate staffing in order to carry out its
vital border security mission. At your invitation, we
recently met and discussed this issue at length. H.R. 6160,
the ``More Border Patrol Agents Now Act of 2006,''
incorporates the Council's central recommendations regarding
this matter.
This legislation will enable the Border Patrol to
substantially increase its ranks immediately through the
addition of retired employees who possess invaluable
experience and knowledge. It will also assist the Border
Patrol in its efforts to attract and retain well-qualified
individuals by establishing recruitment and retention bonuses
for them, as well as by requiring the Department of Homeland
Security to develop a comprehensive plan to enhance
recruitment and retention incentives.
On behalf of the nearly 11,000 front-line employees that it
represents, the National Border Patrol Council expresses its
gratitude to you for introducing this important bill. The
Council strongly supports this legislation, and urges the
United States House of Representatives to enact it swiftly in
order to provide the Border Patrol with some of the essential
tools that it needs to be able to recruit and retain well-
qualified individuals to help secure our borders.
Sincerely,
T.J. Bonner,
President.
I want to especially thank Chairman Tom Davis of the Government
Reform Committee for his leadership on this bill. I would also like to
thank Mr. Issa for his cosponsorship and his leadership on this issue
as well. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6160, the More
Border Patrol Agents Now Act for 2006.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Chairman Rogers for both of us working
together, along with the members of our subcommittee and also full
committee. I think that this bill is about retention, recruitment and
respect for the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Specifically, this bill will allow bonuses and recruitment and
retention of the additional Border Patrol agents that are needed. Just
today in committee we heard from the Department of Homeland Security
Secretary, Mr. Chertoff, who talked about our SpyNet program that is
now ongoing and was just awarded to the Boeing Company. We are going to
need Border Patrol agents that can be on the border that can respond to
what is seen on television on this recorded and tour system that they
are going to put along the borders.
I think it is also important to recognize that the flexibility as it
relates to this piece of legislation is going to be very, very
important for us to make sure that we have enough border agents.
It would also allow the Department to rehire retired Border Patrol
agents that are willing to serve their country. I think that is very,
very important.
I think it is important that we have enough individuals on the border
and also make sure that we take advantage of their full law enforcement
capabilities.
I think it is important also to recognize that our Customs border
protection officers who secure our borders and conduct inspections of
people in vehicles and cargo are also facing staffing shortages. I
think if we are going to protect our borders, I think it is important
we don't leave these individuals behind. But I do want to recognize the
fact that I am excited and encouraged that we are moving this bill
forward today, tonight, to make sure that at least we have the
individuals in question funded to the level that they need to be
funded, maybe higher, but making sure that we are moving towards real
security here in the United States of America.
I can tell you that it has been very, very fortunate for me to work
with not only the chairman but also the full committee on this piece of
legislation. We have had many hearings on it. We have also had those
men and women on the front line, members of our committee have gone to
the front line and met with these individuals. I think it is important
as we move along with the SpyNet program that we have retired members
that are willing to come back and serve. And also put forth the kind of
bonuses for retention and break down on attrition on border protection.
I would also like to say that when we look at national security, Mr.
Speaker, I think it is important that we work in a bipartisan way. I
would like to see more of this spirit as we move on, hopefully
implementing the full 9/11 recommendations. This is one part of it, and
moving in that direction.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I too want to recognize and thank my colleague from
Florida. He has been a real ally in this effort to make sure that our
Border Patrol have the resources they need and work in a very cordial
and bipartisan way. I appreciate him.
I do want to acknowledge his concern over Border Patrol officers. I
share that. It is my hope that as soon as we can get this agent issue
behind us that we can turn our attention to try to make sure that these
officer ranks are swelled as well.
But the thing that I want to most emphasize with my colleagues in the
House is that with this legislation and with our circumstance on the
border and the understaffing, time is of the essence; and so I urge my
colleagues to favorably consider this legislation and vote ``aye.''
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from the great State of Texas (Mr. Al Green).
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman, Chairman
Rogers, and Congressman Meek.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to paraphrase the great Frederick Douglass,
who reminded us that we may not get all that we have worked for;
however, we will work for all that we get.
Clearly, we have worked to get more Border Patrol agents. It is
important
[[Page H7439]]
that we do so. At the rate of 33 to 1, 66,000 before we can get 2,000,
it will take a considerable amount of time to get the number of agents
needed. So we should work and we have worked for more Border Patrol
agents.
However, the record should also reflect, Mr. Speaker, that we have
worked for more Customs and border protection officers. They are the
people that inspect people as well as cargo at ports of entry. They are
the persons who caught the Millennium Bomber. They need help, too. I
thank the chairman for his indication that we will move in that
direction.
This bill is not all that we have worked for, but it is all that we
can get right now, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. I
thank the chairman and Congressman Meek.
Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to respond to the chairman by saying I appreciate
his recognition of our Customs border protection officers and their
need of being able to be a part of something good and something in
protecting America.
I think that it is important that not only on the minority side but
on the majority side we make a commitment to these very fine men and
women. They put their lives on the line every day serving our country.
These are individuals that are conducting inspections of people,
vehicles, and cargo. As long as we hold them in our heart and also in
our mind, as we move forward from this point on, I think it will
protect America even further.
I join Mr. Green and also Mr. Rogers in encouraging all of our
Members to vote in the affirmative in making sure that we pass this
very important piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership and
the ranking minority member. It is clear that we have had the goal for
adding Border Patrol agents for some time in this Congress.
A number of years ago when the Homeland Security Committee was first
being created and we were looking at how better to protect our border,
it became apparent that as we went to air marshals, we had more people
leaving the Border Patrol than we could hire. When we were hiring into
the Border Patrol, we were pulling them out of State and local police,
and then they would move over to other agencies.
Unless we take special efforts in this Congress to do more to retain
our Border Patrol and pay additional money to them, we are not going to
be able to meet the hypothetical goals that we have set for ourselves.
When we debated about fencing on the border, we heard that we need to
have more Border Patrol. We have had difficulty holding the Border
Patrol we have and meeting the numbers of our current assessments which
would only put us to a fraction of actually controlling the border.
That is why in the House, and most on our side at least support
border fencing and virtual fencing, but we also support dramatic
increases in the number of Border Patrol and changing and making
adaptations in their pay scales and in their retention because without
that, we will not have adequate Border Patrol.
{time} 1915
So I thank the chairman for his leadership with this because this is
an important part of a comprehensive border strategy for the people who
are on the ground who have in many cases jobs where they sit there for
long periods of time, where they may or may not see somebody coming in
through the southern border in particular in very hot environments, and
to retain somebody in that job requires additional assistance. And I am
glad to see that we are authorizing that, that we are starting to move
ahead, because this is one of the most critical steps, along with the
fencing, in controlling the Southwest border.
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may
consume to the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Rogers and
Ranking Member Meek both for their leadership.
This has been a committee that has found common ground in many
instances, and certainly I rise to support the More Border Patrol
Agents Now Act of 2006, which would help develop a plan that would give
us a long-term opportunity to plan over the years for recruitment of
our Border Patrol agents.
Let me tell you what else I think is needed that I hope will be
included in our long-range plan, an affirmation of the Border Patrol
agents, of the value of their work, the necessity of their work.
Certainly we know that there have been some ups and downs. Right now,
we are confronting an issue in Texas about the prosecution of Border
Patrol agents and whether the facts were in order, but I think it is
important that they know the rules, they have professional development,
and as well there is a definitive way to recruit. But let me say to you
that I hope that as we move toward legislation that addresses the
question of Border Patrol agents, we will address the question of
professional development, their civil service status.
And I would commend to you H.R. 4044, legislation that I wrote, that
I had the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council. Mr. T.J.
Bonner is president, who is seeking to ensure that there is a civil
service protection for Border Patrol agents and there is a certain
elevation of their level that speaks to their compensation. So that has
to be a part of the package of recruitment as well. And, of course,
advancement, salary increases, these are real, hard-core issues that
will help retain those that we hire.
Lastly, let me say that, in addition, we do want to ensure that they
have the equipment; and I know we have had a series of amendments taken
from H.R. 4044, the leadership of Mr. Thompson and the full committee
for body armor and special weapons and night vision and computers. We
have to give them the equipment that they need to ensure that they can
do the job. And I know, as I see Mr. Rogers and my good friend, the
ranking member, I see the word ``accountability,'' not wasting dollars
and making sure that we go in the right direction in terms of expending
these dollars for our Border Patrol so that we make sure that we are an
efficient department. I want to do that, too.
I close on this note: The question is always asked whether or not we
are safer today than we were 5 years ago. Certainly what is missing is
we have not kept up with the 9/11 Commission report in providing Border
Patrol agents in the numbers that we should have provided. Certainly
any statement that we make today on the floor that commends Border
Patrol agents and thanks them but also talks about having more of them
is a step in the right direction. And I would only ask my colleagues to
realize that in being safe at home, we have to confront the issues
dealing with our conflict in Iraq.
But I do rise to support this legislation. I thank the gentleman for
yielding, and I ask my colleagues to support the More Border Patrol
Agents Now Act of 2006. And I thank the distinguished gentleman from
Florida and the full committee.
I rise in support of the More Border Patrol Agents Now Act of 2006,
H.R. 6160. The More Border Patrol Agents Now Act would require the
Homeland Security Secretary to develop a plan to determine how the
Border Patrol can better recruit and retain Border Patrol agents. It
also would establish bonuses for agents who agree to serve for a
specified period of time. In addition, it would waive the offset that
reemployed annuitants currently have to pay if they return to
government service after retirement. The authority to provide these
incentives would terminate five years after the enactment of H.R. 6160.
I agree that we should require the Homeland Security Secretary to
develop a plan to determine how the Border Patrol can better recruit
and retain Border Patrol agents. I also agree that we should authorize
the incentives. But much more is needed to deal effectively with the
retention and recruitment issues of the Border Patrol.
We also need to provide the Border Patrol with the equipment and
resources they need to secure the border. I have introduced a bill that
would provide the Border Patrol with the equipment and resources they
need, the Rapid Response Border Protection Act of 2005, H.R. 4044.
H.R. 4044 would add 15,000 Border Patrol agents over the next five
years, increasing the
[[Page H7440]]
number of agents from 11,000 to 26,000. With more than 8,000 miles of
land and coastal borders to patrol continuously, it is evident that
this increase is desperately needed, particularly if they are to be
able to respond in sufficient numbers when heavily armed smugglers are
encountered. H.R. 4044 also has provisions for body armor, special
weapons, and night vision equipment.
H.R. 4044 is strongly endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council
and the National Homeland Security Council, organizations that
represent the front-line employees who enforce our immigration and
customs laws.
I have said often that a piecemeal approach to immigration reform
will not work. We need comprehensive immigration reform that will fix
our broken immigration system, such as would be provided by my Save
America Comprehensive Immigration Act, H.R. 2092. But even a good
immigration system will not stop drug smugglers from crossing our
borders illegally. For that, we need a Border Patrol with enough agents
to patrol the entire border effectively, and they have to have the
weapons and other equipment that is necessary for confrontations with
heavily armed drug smugglers and the other dangerous criminals who
cross the border illegally.
Nevertheless, the More Border Patrol Agents Now Act is a step in the
right direction. I urge you to vote for it.
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by once
again thanking Ranking Member Meek for his support and hard work; and I
urge my colleagues to vote ``aye'' on H.R. 6160.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6160, the More
Border Patrol Agents Now Act of 2006.
This legislation takes an important step toward making our borders
more secure and our country safer. More agents along our Nation's
borders will lead to better enforcement of our immigration laws. The
President's commitment of 6,000 more Border Patrol agents in the next
two years is a good start to enhancing border security, but if these
agents cannot be easily hired, or if current Border Patrol agents are
lost to other employment, this enhanced security cannot be maintained.
Personnel concerns should not be a factor limiting the effectiveness
of the Border Patrol.
H.R. 6160 addresses some of these concerns. By streamlining the
hiring process and offering recruitment and retention bonuses, H.R.
6160 takes steps to ensure that the Border Patrol will be an effective
first line of defense at our borders.
Numerous times, I have met with Border Patrol agents in and around my
district in Southern California. On several occasions, the issue of the
age limit for new hires has been brought up. Currently, the Border
Patrol is covered under law enforcement retirement provisions, meaning
new hires must be under the age of 40, unless they presently serve or
have previously served in a position covered by federal civilian law
enforcement retirement. This precludes retired members of our armed
forces from employment by the Border Patrol if they are 40 years of age
or older. Because of this arbitrary provision, the Border Patrol is
unable to hire extremely qualified individuals, many of whom would need
little further training to be effective Border Patrol agents. It is my
hope that Congress will address the age limit issue so even more
qualified agents can be hired.
I want to thank Mr. Rogers for his leadership on this issue. I would
also like to thank Chairmen King and Davis and both the Homeland
Security and Government Reform Committees for responding to the needs
of the Border Patrol Agency so it can better secure our Nation's
borders.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, the Administration
requested that the Border Patrol increase its ranks by 6,000 more
agents by 2008. This Congress has failed to act to meet this goal.
This bill is a good start towards ensuring we at least provide better
salaries to the Border Patrol agents we already have.
But this bill only addresses part of the border security equation. It
fails to address the other half--Customs and Border Protection
Officers.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard that the Border Patrol and the Customs and
Border Protection Officer Corps both face recruitment and retention
problems.
As we know, the Border Patrol agents guard our borders, which is a
tough job. But this bill overlooks the demanding and dangerous job that
Customs and Border Protection Officers perform when they inspect cargo
and people entering the United States at the various Ports of Entry.
Both of these jobs are an important part of efforts to protect our
borders, and the people doing these jobs should be justly compensated.
The only way we can address these employment issues is by exploring
all options available to this Congress and the Department through the
legislative and oversight process, not simply relying on an election
year gimmick of passing a bill that will not likely be acted on by the
Senate nor enacted into law.
A meaningful full-step forward would be having a hearing on this bill
and requesting all of the stakeholders to come and testify before our
Committee on how to address the employment problems in the Customs and
Border Protection Directorate.
Mr. Speaker, I will support this bill because I know this is a good
step towards fully securing our country. But, we will only be making
real progress when we hire enough Border Patrol agents and Customs and
Border Protection Officers and make sure both these groups are better
paid and equipped.
Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, border security is an issue of great concern
to all Americans. It deserves serious deliberation and congressional
consideration. Unfortunately, the bill before us now, H.R. 6160, the
More Border Patrol Agents Now Act, was introduced yesterday and is
being considered on the floor today without benefit of committee action
by either the Homeland Security or Government Reform Committee.
H.R. 6160 would grant the Department of Homeland Security the ability
to award Border Patrol agents lump-sum recruitment and retention
bonuses of up to 25 percent of annual pay. It would also allow the
Department to rehire retirees. The Department can already do this under
current Governmentwide authorities as long as it works with the Office
of Personnel Management, OPM, the agency which best understands hiring
needs.
Giving the Department this direct authority to circumvent OPM may or
may not be a good idea. Appropriate action by the committees of
jurisdiction would have allowed us to determine whether or not this
independent authority is needed.
In short, we should not view this bill as a magic bullet to cure the
ills of the Border Patrol. The Director of the OPM already has the
authority to authorize the head of an agency to pay these bonuses. So
the only real effect of this measure will be to cut the Federal agency
with the most expertise in Federal personnel issues out of the
decisionmaking process with regard to the Border Patrol.
Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 6160.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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