Reps. Andy Barr (R., Ky.) and John McGuire (R., Va.) want to give Border Patrol personnel a bonus, according to new legislation obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter.
The Kentucky Republican’s latest bill, the Border Patrol Overtime Parity Act, would expand eligibility for special overtime pay to Border Patrol personnel across all General Schedule (GS) levels — including to trainees who enter the agency below the GS-12 level.
Barr’s bill, he believes, will help Border Patrol with morale, recruitment, and retention through overtime protections, and it is the latest move by Republicans to bolster their credentials with working Americans — President Donald Trump’s signature legislation, the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC), which Barr championed from Congress, famously included provisions like no taxes on overtime.
Without Barr’s law, eligibility for special overtime pay does not cover all GS levels, which leaves some Border Patrol personnel, including lower-level trainees, ineligible. Barr’s legislation, which is cosponsored by McGuire, would change that.
“At a time when border security remains one of the top concerns facing our country, Congress should be supporting the men and women on the front lines of that mission,” Barr explained. “Border Patrol personnel are working around the clock to secure our border, combat cartel activity, stop human trafficking, and protect American communities. The Border Patrol Overtime Parity Act ensures these agents are fairly compensated for the demanding work they perform every day.”
“If we want to recruit and retain the best people to secure our border, we need to make sure they know their service is valued from day one,” he added. “Extending special overtime pay across all GS levels gives new and existing personnel greater certainty that they will be compensated for the demanding hours required by this mission.”
McGuire, himself a longtime military veteran, added that “our nation’s Border Patrol personnel are on the front lines defending our country and protecting American communities, every day.”
“The brave men and women who step forward to serve deserve to be fairly compensated for the long hours the mission requires,” McGuire added of the legislation. “By expanding special overtime pay across all GS levels, this legislation supports the heroes securing our border while strengthening recruitment and retention across the agency.”
James T. Robertson, the Border Patrol Supervisors Association President, explained why the legislation is necessary.
“Border Patrol supervisors work long hours, shoulder enormous responsibility, and lead the agents and operations that help secure our border,” Robertson said. “The Border Patrol Overtime Parity Act is a common-sense fix to ensure these supervisors are fairly compensated for the work they are already performing.”
“We appreciate Congressman Barr’s leadership and his commitment to standing with the men and women of the Border Patrol,” he added.
Similarly, Paul Perez, the President of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC), added that “Border Patrol Agents answer the call every day, often working long hours in dangerous and difficult conditions. Making sure all Agents receive compensation that matches our fellow law enforcement counterparts across the country is about parity, but it’s also about morale and ensuring we recruit the best possible people to help secure our borders. We appreciate Congressman Barr fighting for the men and women on the front lines.”
