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Read. Follow. Verify.Proposed 2014 Budget for Customs and Border Protection
Record date · January 1, 2015
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What This Bill Does
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) provided testimony regarding the fiscal year 2014 budget for Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The union advocates for hiring 3,477 new officers, increasing to cover operational costs, and maintaining funding for foreign language incentive programs.
The proposal impacts the speed of international trade and travel at U.S. ports of entry by adjusting staffing levels and increasing for passengers and commercial carriers.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
CBP Officers
The proposal impacts their staffing levels, overtime funding, and eligibility for foreign language incentive awards.
International Travelers and Commercial Carriers
They would be subject to a $2 increase in immigration and customs user fees.
Key Facts
- The NTEU supports hiring 3,477 new CBP officers for air, sea, and land ports of entry.
- 1,600 new officer positions would be funded by a $210.1 million increase in the federal budget.
- 1,877 new officer positions would be funded by a $2 increase in immigration and customs user fees.
- Customs user fees have not been increased since 2001.
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- The NTEU opposes a proposed $16 million cut to the Foreign Language Award Program (FLAP).
- FLAP provides cash awards to employees proficient in critical foreign languages like Urdu, Farsi, and Arabic.
- The budget proposes cutting 21 trade operations positions, including 14 rulings and regulations staff.
- CBP reported a $100 million shortfall in commercial vehicle user fees in 2010.
- Agriculture Quality Inspection (AQI) user fees currently cover only 62 percent of inspection costs, leaving a $325 million gap.
- The NTEU supports a study of land border fee options to ensure full cost recovery for inspection services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the union want to increase user fees?
What is the Foreign Language Award Program?
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News Coverage
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Stagnant User Fees
The document highlights that customs user fees have remained unchanged since 2001, creating a significant funding gap for inspection services.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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