Hurd Stands by Border Patrol Agents

Introduces much-needed overtime pay fix Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON DC Today U.S. Representative Will Hurd introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the overtime payment process for our Customs and Border Patrol agents. H.R. 5896 the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Amendment Act of 2018 was introduced with Border and Maritime Subcommittee Chair Martha McSally (AZ-02) and Ranking Member Filemn Vela (TX-34) to streamline and amend the overtime payment process to allow these hardworking men and women the flexibility to be properly compensated for the dangerous jobs they perform. The men and women of Border Patrol have highly demanding jobs and are our most important assets on the front line. We must take care of them and ensure that they are being compensated for the grueling hours they put in to secure our borders" said Hurd who represents more U.S.-Mexico border than any other Member of Congress. 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." I want to thank Congressman Hurd again for all his hard work on this legislation.  This is the second time that Congressman Hurd has worked with the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) to address challenges we have faced after Congress instituted a new pay system for Border Patrol Agents three years ago" said National Border Patrol Council President Brandon Judd. Washington needs common sense problem solvers and Congressman Hurd is that kind of Member of Congress who can work in bipartisan basis to get results in Washington." Border Patrol agents are one of our most important border security resource. We simply cannot achieve situational awareness and operational control of our southwest border without them. While visiting the border Ive personally spoken with our Border Patrol agents and have heard their requests firsthand to make these straightforward fixes to their compensation structure and thats why I am leading this legislation with Rep. Hurd to fix this problem. We already have dangerous manpower shortages at the border we cannot afford such high turnover as well. Fixing these compensation concerns will address one of the problems causing lack of retention of these highly qualified individuals. They put their lives on the line when they put their boots on the borderthey deserve a pay raise not a pay cut" said Congresswoman McSally. I am proud to sponsor this bill which provides for more reliable paychecks and schedules for Border Patrol agents" said Rep. Vela. These common sense reforms will allow our frontline agents to focus on their mission including drug seizures in a more efficient and effective manner."