For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
Today, Congress passed H.R. 2252, a bill that ensures fair treatment for our dedicated Border Patrol personnel. After the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 passed last year, the Office of Personnel Management advised DHS that the bill required certain legacy pay mechanisms for our personnel to end before the intended replacement regime could fully come into effect. This was contrary to the intent of the legislation, and I directed the Department to take all legally allowable actions to mitigate the impact on our Agents. Among other steps, we worked with Congress, in a spirit of bipartisanship, to clarify the law in order to protect our Agents from financial hardship.
I appreciate the speed with which Congress acted. A number of Members took a personal interest in ensuring that our Border Patrol agents are paid what they deserve. In particular, I would like to thank Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Carper, Chairman Chaffetz and Ranking Member Cummings for their support and their Committees’ work on the legislation that passed today. Lastly, I’d also like to thank House and Senate Leadership for speeding its passage, and Senators Tester and McCain for their support and work on the original bill.
The men and women of the Border Patrol work long hours in difficult circumstances. I am pleased that Congress has taken this important action to support them.
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