July 1, 2014
By Stephanie West
Washington, DC – The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 16,500 Border Patrol agents and support staff, applauds Senate committee passage of legislation to reform the Border Patrol pay system.
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has approved S. 1691, the Border Patrol Pay Reform Act. The bill now goes to the full Senate.
AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. praised Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and John McCain of Arizona for introducing the legislation."This legislation is absolutely crucial for bringing stability and predictability to Border Patrol pay and will make a huge, positive contribution to our agents' ability to provide the most effective border security," Cox said.
The legislation would provide agents with a fair and equitable pay system while actually lowering the amount the government spends on Border Patrol payroll. The current pay scheme has been applied inconsistently and has been subject to much political manipulation in the context of budget debates.
"We are thrilled with the vote by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee," AFGE National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd said. "We urge swift Senate passage of the bill, and ask the House to take up the Senate-passed measure immediately.
"Border Patrol agents are deeply grateful to Senators Tester and McCain. They stepped up to take action on a measure that will simultaneously improve security at the border and raise the morale of the workforce," Judd said.
