Sheila Jackson Lee: “As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime…”

“As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2835, ``Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015.'' which would guarantee more jobs for our many deserving veterans. This bill requires the Homeland Security Department to prioritize the hiring of U.S. veterans as Custom and Border Protection (CBP) officers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the unemployment rate for our veterans is 7.2%, which is roughly 573,000 unemployed veterans nationally. A study commissioned by the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration found that in 2008, delays at POEs at the U.S.- Mexico border cost the U.S. economy 26,000 jobs, $600 million in lost tax revenue, and $5.8 billion in lost economic output. According to CBP, 2,000 additional CBPOs will lead to the creation of approximately 66,000 new jobs and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the U.S. by up to $4 billion. The bill will ensure that: CBP officials will be at recruiting events and jobs fairs for armed service members; Partnerships are fostered between military bases in regions where CBP Officers work; Opportunities for the expedited hiring of certain service members with qualifications needed by CBP are prioritized; and Transfers of relevant background investigations and security clearances are streamlined to facilitate transitions from military life to employment at the CBP. Mr.…”