REP. WEBER INTRODUCES THE "PAY OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS FAIRLY ACT"

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Washington, October 27, 2021 | Lisa Reynolds (202-412-2010)

Washington, D.C. - Wednesday, October 27, 2021. U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), joined by Reps. Clay Higgins (LA-3), Brian Babin (TX-36), Rick Crawford (AR-1), Matt Cartwright (PA-8), Don Bacon (NE-2), Pete Stauber (MN-8), and Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-2), introduced the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act, legislation that would revise locality pay rates for employees of the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

“For too long, BOP employees working in designated ‘Rest of U.S.’ jurisdictions located near metropolitan areas have been subjected to lower pay rates even though they have higher costs-of-living for working near major cities,” said Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14).  “As members of the BOP Reform Caucus, we are championing solutions to address problems that have plagued the BOP and our correctional officers, and our bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction.”

The Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act would address staffing and retention problems facing BOP facilities by allowing for competitive pay that considers factors such as cost-of-living, commute times, and the hard work and dedication of our correctional officers.  Specifically, BOP facilities located within 100 miles of the nearest General Schedule (GS) locality pay area would be eligible to pay their staff higher, more competitive wages.  Our correctional officers work to keep our communities safe, and the value they add to civil society must be adequately reciprocated.