Lankford Wants Increase for Border Patrol Agents’ Overtime Pay

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—Senators James Lankford (R-OK), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Border Patrol Pay Security Act to ensure Border Patrol agents earn similar overtime compensation already offered to other federal law enforcement agents. The bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to allow Border Patrol agents to receive overtime compensation in line with other law enforcement agents.

“The men and women serving our nation as Border Patrol agents are working around the clock to protect our nation by securing our border. I’ve heard firsthand from Border Patrol agents at a muster earlier this year about the roadblocks they face,” said Lankford. “Unfortunately, this Administration has handcuffed them from actually doing their job. They’ve taken these men and women who are law enforcement and turned them into hotel-check-in. But, even when morale is down they are still working twice as hard to ensure the job is done right—and often put in hours of overtime on a regular basis. They deserve to ensure they are adequately compensated for the hard work they’re doing on our border.” 

“Now more than ever, our border patrol agents put their lives at risk every day they put on their uniform,” said Cornyn. “The dedicated men and women who are sworn to protect and secure our border should be justly compensated, particularly as they work around the clock to keep our communities safe. While long overdue, it is crucial that the U.S. Border Patrol can focus on recruiting, retaining, and training the best agents that are paid comparably to their federal law enforcement counterparts.”

“Ensuring our Border Patrol Agents receive fair overtime pay strengthens recruitment and retention and helps keep our border secure. We’ll continue working across the aisle to support our Border Patrol and keep Arizona families and communities safe and secure,” said Sinema.

“The hardworking men and women of the US Border Patrol are frequently working overtime to keep our communities safe but don’t see the same pay benefits as other federal law enforcement. As we continue to deal with the crisis at our southern border, our legislation will improve border security by boosting the US Border Patrol’s continued efforts to hire and retain talented agents,” said Kelly.

This legislation is supported by the National Border Patrol Council.

“I want to personally thank Senator Lankford for his steadfast support and thoughtful leadership on this critical border security legislation,” said Brandon Judd, National President of the National Border Patrol Council. “We will never have a truly secure border if we don’t have dedicated men and women on the ground physically apprehending dangerous criminals and seizing deadly narcotics. The Border Patrol Pay Security Act will help ensure that we retain and recruit Border Patrol Agents at a time of critically low staffing levels and in the midst of a year-long crisis at our southern border. There’s never been a time when we’ve needed this legislation more and I urge the Senate to pass this bill as soon as possible.”

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