U.S. Rep. Ron Barber Votes for Funding to Pay Border Patrol Agents

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber says he is outraged by the ongoing government shutdown and its growing impact on Southern Arizona.

Today, U.S. Border Patrol agents and Customs Officers will not be paid as scheduled because of the ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its 11th day.

Barber spoke on the floor of the House yesterday, urging that the shutdown be ended immediately. "This reckless shutdown hurts the families of our agents who put their lives on the line every day," Barber said.

Border Patrol agents normally are paid twice per month. Today is the first payday since the Oct. 1 shutdown of the federal government. Agents have been told they will not receive a check -- and not be paid until the shutdown ends.

Border Patrol agents are among those who have been exempted from the shutdown because they play a critical public safety role. The exemption means they will be paid after the shutdown ends, but not as regularly scheduled. This is true for all federal employees who are currently working during the shutdown -- other than active-duty military.

"Because Border Patrol agents will not be paid today, it will cause extreme hardships for agents and their families -- an outrageous situation that I find unacceptable," Barber said today. "This will have a ripple effect on small businesses in border areas, such as Sierra Vista and Douglas, which depend on the dollars spent by agents and their families."

Yesterday, Barber spoke on the floor of the House about the harm the shutdown is causing Border Patrol agents. Barber, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and ranking member of the Oversight and Management Efficiency Subcommittee, represents 83 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

"Last week, an agent's wife called my office about a decision her husband was forced to make," Barber said in his remarks. "The decision between missing a loved one's funeral or attending it on furlough, putting his paycheck and his family at risk. This reckless shutdown hurts the families of our agents who put their lives on the line every day. This is wrong."

Video of Barber's remarks can be seen by clicking here.

Yesterday, Barber joined with a bipartisan majority of the House to approve restoration of funds for Homeland Security operations including salaries for Border Patrol agents, Customs officers and Coast Guard officers. However, the measure still must be approved by the Senate which has been insisting on a complete end of the shutdown instead of piecemeal restoration of funding.

Source