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H.R. 5260: Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act

This bill, titled the Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act, aims to ensure that certain employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), specifically Border Patrol agents and officers of the Office of Field Operations, continue to receive their salaries and benefits during government shutdowns.

Key Provisions

The bill outlines that funds will be allocated for the fiscal year 2026 to cover the salaries of CBP employees who are required to work during any government shutdown when discretionary appropriations lapse.
These employees are deemed essential and will not be furloughed, thus requiring the government to guarantee their pay despite the shutdown conditions.

Impact on Government Operations

The bill intends to maintain the operational capacity of the CBP by preventing interruptions in pay that could affect the morale and functionality of essential border and customs operations. By ensuring these employees are compensated, the bill seeks to uphold national security and border protection efforts during times when the federal government may be unable to fully fund its operations due to political disagreements or budgetary impasses.

Funding Source

The bill indicates that the funding for these salaries will come from the U.S. Treasury, specifically any money that has not already been allocated for other purposes. This approach is aimed at allowing flexibility in addressing the financial needs related to maintaining the operations of the CBP during fiscal disruptions.

Relevance of the Bill

By focusing on the salaries of customs and border patrol staff, this legislation addresses a critical component of federal employee compensation during times of financial uncertainty, ensuring that those in pivotal roles continue to be supported while serving the public interest.