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Washington, D.C.—The introduction of bipartisan legislation that would extend law enforcement officer (LEO) status to certain employees of the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was welcomed today by the leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley said common sense demands an end to the inequity of CBP Inspectors as well as IRS Revenue Officers, performing work which is as demanding and dangerous as any member of the federal law enforcement community, yet not carrying LEO status. The designation provides eligibility for retirement at age 50 after 20 years of government service.

Legislation that would end that inequity, H.R. 1002, was introduced this week by Reps. Bob Filner (D-CA) and John McHugh (R-NY). Similar legislation introduced in the last congressional session had strong support among members of Congress and gathered 170 cosponsors.

"These federal employees perform dangerous work with real and unrelenting hazards," President Kelley said, "including dealing with wanted fugitives and anti-government tax protestors, yet they continue to be denied LEO status. This must change."

CBP Officers work around the clock as the nation's first line of defense against terrorism and the smuggling of illegal drugs and contraband at our borders and ports. Not only do they carry weapons, these employees have the authority to apprehend and detain suspected criminals.

IRS Revenue Officers also face dangerous situations as they enforce the United States Tax Code and collect delinquent taxes. They are often threatened and assaulted, sometimes at gunpoint, as they attempt to do their jobs.

The NTEU leader noted that the legislation—the Homeland Security Act—establishing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called for the elimination of unwarranted disparities in the pay and benefits of employees from the 22 federal agencies and departments that were merged together to form DHS.

Yet a 2003 DHS report that focused on differences in pay and benefits clearly shows that within CBP there are two classes of employees, President Kelley said, those with law enforcement officer status and those without it.

Kelley urged Congress to end the disparity and grant LEO recognition, rights, and benefits to these federal employees.

NTEU is the nation’s largest independent federal union, representing more than 150,000 employees in 30 agencies and departments.