On the recordNovember 14, 2013
I have the honor of representing more than 2,500 Border Patrol agents in El Paso, Texas. They are a big reason why our border with Mexico is as secure as it has ever been, and they help keep El Paso the safest city in the United States; it was this year, the year before, and the year before that. Now, despite their successful track record, their vigilance at our borders with Mexico and Canada, and the tough conditions under which they work, they are working with an antiquated, unfair, and inflexible pay system. That is why I am happy to work across the aisle with the gentleman from Utah, Representative Chaffetz, to introduce H.R. 3463, the Border Patrol Pay Reform Act. This provides a fair, flexible, and fiscally responsible way to compensate our Border Patrol agents. It allows management to deploy resources where they are most needed; it gives our agents some predictability in their work schedule; and it saves the American taxpayer over $1 billion over the next 10 years. During a time of sequester and tight budgets, we need to use existing resources as judiciously as we can. I think this bill accomplishes that while supporting our Border Patrol agents. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. ____________________
