House · HR 6439 · 119th Congress
Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act
Summary
This bill expands special overtime pay to U.S. Border Patrol agents ranked above grade GS-12, up through grade GS-15. Currently, only agents at the GS-12 level can receive this higher overtime rate. The bill aims to help the Border Patrol keep experienced supervisors from leaving for other jobs.
In Favor
Senior Border Patrol supervisors often earn less overtime pay than the agents they lead. This gap makes it hard to keep experienced leaders on the job. Expanding overtime pay to higher-ranked agents helps close that gap and gives supervisors a stronger reason to stay.
Against
Paying higher overtime rates to more senior agents will cost the federal government more money each year. Supervisors at grades GS-13 through GS-15 already earn higher base salaries than front-line agents. Critics may argue that raises or better staffing would fix the problem without locking in a permanent overtime cost.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill aims to extend a special overtime pay rate to Border Patrol agents at grade levels GS-13, GS-14, and GS-15. Currently, that pay rate only covers agents at grade GS-12 and below.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The provisions stay on topic. Each change directly addresses extending the overtime pay grade range for Border Patrol agents, with no unrelated additions.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Border Patrol agents at grades GS-13 through GS-15 would gain access to the higher overtime pay rate. The federal government, as their employer, would bear the added payroll costs.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not state a dollar amount or include a CBO cost estimate. It expands an existing overtime pay structure, so it would increase federal payroll spending for each covered agent who works qualifying overtime hours.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires updating pay records and systems to cover the newly eligible grade levels. Agencies would need to identify and reclassify which agents now qualify under the expanded range.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 7/22/2026