The White House has also proposed to repeal a provision in the 2008 catchall spending bill providing law enforcement officer retirement benefits to CBP officers as of July.
Proponents see the benefits as a needed recruitment and retention carrot; NTEU pushed for years to gain enactment. Union president Kelley called the repeal proposal an attempt to undercut congressional will.
However, the White House has stated opposition, arguing it would have a negative impact on national security by allowing CBP officers to retire up to five years earlier.
In a recent letter to OMB director Jim Nussle, the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate homeland security committees expressed their support of the enhanced benefits, calling it long overdue, indicating that at least Democratic support remains strong.
"These enhanced retirement benefits have the bipartisan and bicameral support of Congress and will greatly aid CBP’s continued recruitment and retention of the best and brightest CBP Officers, build a vigorous workforce for the future, and enhance vital border security at our nation ‘s ports of entry," the lawmakers wrote.
