Reps. Gonzales, Cuellar and Herrell Introduce Border Patrol Pay Fix Bill

On Thursday I introduced bipartisan legislation with Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (R-NM-02) to improve the overtime pay system for border patrol agents. The Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Amendment Act of 2021 gives border patrol agents more flexibility in choosing their work schedules and how they receive overtime pay. 

This legislation is aimed at correcting bureaucratic inefficiencies that have previously kept border patrol agents from receiving due compensation for the demanding jobs they perform. By ensuring agents receive fair pay, it will also address recruitment and retainment issues that the border patrol has struggled with. The bill previously passed the House by voice vote in the 115^th Congress and has historically received bipartisan support.

Read the full bill text here.

Our men and women in green bear an incredible responsibility to protect our nation’s borders. They are fully entitled to fair and proper compensation for the jobs they perform. These brave agents are our most important asset at the border, and we need to ensure that we are prioritizing their retention and well-being.

“The U.S. Border Patrol face severe recruitment and retention problems due to the dangerous and demanding nature of the job,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “This bipartisan legislation will work to fix this problem by properly compensating our brave men and women in green. As the Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I am committed to supporting our agents who put their lives on the line every day to keep America safe.”

“The men and women serving on the border are undermanned and overworked,” said Congresswoman Herrell. “They’re dealing with a crisis not of their own making, and they are doing it with courage and integrity. The least Congress can do is make these commonsense fixes to give Border Patrol agents the flexibility they deserve.”

“I want to thank Congressman Gonzales for introducing this important legislation,” said Brandon Judd, the President of the National Border Patrol Council. “The men and women of the Border Patrol have a difficult job and we are seeing an unprecedented surge at the border.  This legislation will make Border Patrol’s Agent’s lives a little easier and allow them to focus on their mission and I appreciate Congressman Gonzales moving so quickly to introduce this legislation.”