Cramer: House Passes H.R. 2835, the Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer joined a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in passing H.R. 2835, the Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015. This legislation requires the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to use existing authorities, programs, and agreements to enhance DHS' efforts to recruit members of the Armed Forces who are leaving military service to become Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs).

"DHS does not have enough adequately trained staff to keep our borders secure," said Cramer. "Focusing our efforts on recruiting the members of our Armed Services to fill these critical vacancies makes perfect sense. These veterans have already been trained and shown their willingness to defend our country and they are looking for good paying jobs and careers. We should take advantage of their dedication, patriotism and training to keep our borders secure as Customs and Border Protection Officers."

In addition, the bill requires the DHS Secretary, not later than 180 days after being signed into law, to provide Congress a description and assessment of DHS efforts to hire separating service members as CBPOs. The bill specifies the contents of that report, which must include the number of CBPO vacancies filled by separating service members.

Upon first being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Cramer formed a Veterans Advisory Board, a group of North Dakota veterans leaders which provides guidance on important issues for retired service members. Additionally, Congressman Cramer is co-chair of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, which studies and highlights the issues facing states along the Canadian border.

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