Speech #1060034915

Madam Speaker. I rise to the floor of the House today to stand up for a group of men and women who guard our nations borders and risk their very lives everyday. The group of men and women whom I am referring to are the United States Border Patrol. Today. along with my colleague from Texas. Mr. REYES. I introduce the "Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention Act of 1999." This legislation will provide incentives and support for recruiting and retaining Border Patrol agents. This legislation would increase the compensation for Border Patrol agents and allow the Border Patrol agency to recruit its own agents without relying on personnel offices of the Department of Justice or INS. The United States is in dire need of more Border Patrol agents to enforce policies against illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Under current law. the INS is authorized to add a total of five thousand additional border patrol agents. at a rate of five thousand additional border patrol agents. at a rate of one thousand per fiscal year from 1997 to 2001. However. INS did not request any additional agents in its FY 2000 budget due in large part to the lucrative job market and the low unemployment rate. According to Commissioner Meissner of the INS. only 200 to 400 new agents will be hired this year. Arizona had been slated to receive approximately 400 of the full complement but will not likely receive between 100150. and my home state of Texas. which would have received approximately 500 new agents this year. could see that number cut by more than half. The "Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Act" would move Border Patrol agents with one years agency experience from the federal governments GS9 pay level (approximately $34.000 annually) to GS11 (approximately $41.000 annually) next year. We need better recruitment and better retention. We cannot play with the nations borders. and right now in the Immigration and Claims subcommittee in which I am a Ranking Member. we listen to testimony hearing after hearing about how the Border Patrol agents need more money. and the INS needs to be given the resources to be able to do it. This legislation is the step in that direction. Madam Speaker. we are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. The "Border Patrol Recruitment and Retention Act of 1999." will give us the ability to control our borders and uphold the law. I urge my colleagues to join me and Mr. REYES. who is our resident expert on Border Patrol matters due to his service as a Border Patrol Sector Chief to support this much needed measure.