Paying The Border Patrol

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., last week released the following statement after the president signed the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act into law.

Tester, along with Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced and successfully pushed the bipartisan legislation through Congress earlier this month.

Tester's statement:

“The men and women of the Border Patrol work tough jobs to keep us safe and deserve a pay system that meets their needs. This new law will ensure a predictable pay system, save taxpayer dollars, make government work better and strengthen our national security. It’s a rare win across the board. I proudly fought to pass this responsible measure and am glad to see the President sign it into law.”

Tester and McCain’s bill reforms a complicated and inefficient overtime pay system and holds the Border Patrol more accountable for how it spends taxpayer money. Their bill would save up to $100 million each year, according to the non-partisan Government Accountability Office.

The senators introduced their bill last year in the wake of a government report showing Homeland Security employees were abusing an outdated pay system. Tester and McCain's legislation allows Border Patrol agents to choose between three pay schedule options and work either 100 hours (20 hours of overtime), 90 hours (10 hours of overtime), or 80 hours (no overtime) per pay period.

The measure is supported by the National Border Patrol Council and co-sponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte. R-N.H., Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and John Cornyn, R-Texas.