House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Border Jobs for Veterans Act

Press Release

U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) applaud the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 2835, the Border Jobs for Veterans Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Martha McSally and companion legislation to Senate approved S. 1603, the Border Jobs for Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation will help put veterans to work as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at understaffed U.S. ports of entry without raising costs or impacting existing veteran hiring authorities.

"Veterans need jobs and our ports need CBP officers. Solutions don't get more straightforward than that," said Flake. "This legislation will put veterans to work, improve national security, increase trade, and grow the economy--all at no additional cost to the taxpayer. I thank my colleagues in the House, especially Congresswoman McSally, for their efforts in bringing this legislation closer to the President's desk."

"I came to Washington to get things done and advance solutions that will make a difference for the people of Southern Arizona. Today's bill does just that," said McSally. "It's a win-win for our district. It boosts staffing at our ports of entry and helps returning service members find jobs, and is the result of numerous conversations I've had with CBP officers working along our border. The failure to fully staff our ports slows trade coming across the border, hurting not just local communities, but our entire region's reputation as a leading trade hub. My bill helps to solve this problem by ensuring the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security are working together to fill these positions with already-trained and qualified veterans."

"I am pleased to see the Border Jobs for Veterans Act, which I cosponsored with Senators Flake, McCain and Schumer, pass the House this evening. This is an important, incremental step towards enhancing our border security," said Johnson. "Since becoming chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I have looked closely at border security through a series of site visits, committee hearings and roundtables. One common theme that has emerged is that manpower plays a vital role in securing the border, both at and between our ports of entry. This bill gives former service members an opportunity to continue serving by ensuring the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense work together to identify these qualified applicants and provide DHS with the best candidates to fill vacancies in remote ports of entry along our borders. Now, with the House's action, we can quickly get this to the President's desk for signature."

"This bill offers a common-sense solution to help separating service members find much-needed jobs, overcome staffing deficiencies at U.S. ports of entry, and enhance the security of communities in Arizona and across the U.S. on our southern border," said McCain. "I thank Congresswoman McSally for advancing this bipartisan effort in the House, which will provide veterans vital opportunities to continue serving and protecting the nation."

"This legislation connects our veterans to jobs they're already qualified to fill, improves the flow of tourism, goods and services, and secures our borders. It is a win-win-win and I'm glad the House has passed it. It's our solemn responsibility to take care of our veterans when they return home, and that means helping them to find a good-paying job. The fact that veterans can fill much-needed positions along the Northern Border in New York is an added bonus. This bill is just plain common sense, and I hope we get it to the President's desk quickly," said Schumer.