Rep. Cuellar Secures Overtime Pay Increases for Border Patrol Agents
Written by admin, Jan 3, 2024, 0 Comments
Courtesy Arturo Olivarez,
This is in addition to a 5.2% pay increase for Border Patrol Agents, as well as all federal employees
Laredo, TX – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) celebrated the increase in overtime pay for Border Patrol agents recently signed into law in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
“Our Border Patrol agents continue to work around the clock as the humanitarian crisis unfolds at the Southern border,” said Dr. Cuellar. “The lack of adequate overtime pay for agents has created severe issues with retention and recruitment while negatively impacting morale between our ports of entry. I’m pleased that this change will get our hardworking Border Patrol agents the overtime pay they deserve. Thank you to Chairman Peters, Senator Lankford, and Senator Sinema for working with me to get this priority passed.”
“We appreciate Congressman Cuellar’s steadfast support for Border Patrol agents,” said Hector Garza, Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council. “Through his efforts, we were able to secure this important pay reform that will allow us to better recruit and retain future personnel.”
Dr. Cuellar helped secure language in the FY24 NDAA increasing overtime pay to time-and-a-half, ensuring that Border Patrol agents will be fairly compensated for scheduled overtime hours. This change in overtime pay policies aligns the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) with other federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the agencies, agents are often expected to work overtime without receiving overtime pay for those hours, a significant problem with hiring and retaining employees. The change in overtime policies will apply to CBP employees classified at GS-12 or above.
Federal workers will receive a 5.2% raise in 2024, the highest raise for the federal workforce in 43 years. This will be critical to helping USBP recruit and retain personnel. Active-duty troops and drilling Guard and reserve members will also receive a 5.2% pay raise, the largest increase in more than 20 years.
As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, Dr. Cuellar has consistently supported and fought for border law enforcement personnel. In the FY23 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, Dr. Cuellar secured funding for 300 new Border Patrol Agents and 300 new Border Patrol Processing Coordinators, along with $60 million for an additional 125 Customs Officers, 250 technicians, and 250 mission support staff. Additionally, Dr. Cuellar secured $230 million for smart border technology to better stop criminals, including $150 million for procurement and $20 million for innovative technology.
