Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee cleared Sinema’s bill and included it in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Hiring, Retention and Training Act
WASHINGTON — Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced the bipartisan CBP Hiring and Retention Innovation Act with Republican Senator John Hoeven (ND) and cleared the bill through the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The bill will improve the hiring and retention of Customs and Border Protection agents and officers.
The CBP Hiring and Retention Innovation Act creates a Customs and Border Protection Innovation Council, which consists of representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, labor organizations representing border agents and officers, and outside experts. The Innovation Council will develop pilot programs to improve hiring and retention of Customs and Border Protection Officers.
“Securing our borders, keeping Arizonans safe, and ensuring the fair and humane treatment of migrants requires a fully staffed Customs and Border Protection force. Our bill encourages innovation and creative problem-solving to improve hiring and retention of CBP agents and officers,” said Sinema.
“Having adequate personnel in place is an essential part of securing our borders,” said Hoeven. “Moreover, by properly staffing our ports of entry, we can ensure the efficient flow of goods between the U.S. and its trading partners, which is especially important to the agriculture, energy and manufacturing industries in states like North Dakota. That’s why we are advancing our legislation to promote innovation in the CBP’s hiring process and create better incentives for employee retention.”
Sinema’s CBP Hiring and Retention Innovation Act was included in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Hiring, Retention and Training Act of 2019, a comprehensive border workforce bill that the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved with a bipartisan vote last week.
Sinema, who serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has worked across the aisle to keep Arizona safe and address ongoing challenges at the border. Earlier this year, she secured critical priorities in the bipartisan border funding bill that was signed into law.
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