Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) to authorize Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to expedite hiring practices to address staff shortages cleared the House on Wednesday.
McSally introduced the Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act in response to CBP’s staffing levels dropping below the congressionally mandated 1,000 officers and 1,800 border patrol agents. The measure, which drew support from U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Bruce Poliquin (R-ME), would give CBP discretion to hire qualified military veterans and police officers.
“All of the technology and infrastructure deployed along the southern border is useless if we don’t have a well-trained agent or officer present to intercept a drug load, screen cargo or speed legitimate transit through a port of entry,” McSally, the chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, said. “CBP has invested $200 million in port of entry infrastructure in Arizona alone over the last eight years, but there isn’t enough staff to open every available lane.”
To address staff shortages, the Anti-Border Corruption Reauthorization Act would establish hiring exceptions for state and local police officers who pass a polygraph examination, federal law enforcers who pass a background check and veterans with at least three consecutive years of military experience.
“By giving CBP the discretionary ability to hire qualified, vetted individuals who already have earned public trust, this bill will increase the security of our nation and facilitate cross-border commerce and tourism — so vital to the Arizona and national economy,” McSally said.
McCaul, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, noted that national security depends on ensuring that the right number of well-trained agents and officers are positioned on the front lines.
“This common sense, bipartisan solution expedites the hiring process for those who have previously taken an oath and put their lives on the line for our country, allowing CBP to more effectively carry out their mission of safeguarding America’s borders and ports of entry,” McCaul said.
Poliquin, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of CBP efforts to patrol the country’s northern border as officers there face challenging conditions.
“Having toured Maine’s northern border with the U.S. Border Patrol Chief last summer and spoken directly with customs officers and border patrol agents on duty, I have seen firsthand the unique challenges and difficult tasks that these individuals face, including combatting the drug trade, safeguarding national security and maintaining open and secure means of commerce for our local Maine businesses that cross the border regularly,” Poliquin said.
Each of Poliquin’s three Maine offices have been contacted in recent months by CBP officials and job applicants expressing frustration with the CBP’s bureaucratic hiring process and pre-employment polygraph requirements.
“It is critical these agencies are allowed the resources and manpower they need to conduct their duties and to protect our communities,” Poliquin said.