Senate Amendments Increase Funding for Border Security

Senate Amendments Increase Funding for Border Security
On Wednesday, two significant border-related amendments were added to the Defense Appropriations bill currently before the Senate (H.R. 3222). The first of these was an amendment offered by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to continue funding for 6,000 National Guard troops stationed on the southern border (S.A. 3192). Since May, the Administration has drawn down half of the National Guardsmen originally stationed on the border as part of Operation Jump Start. The Administration plans to draw down the remainder at the beginning of 2008.

The Sessions Amendment, which was added to the bill on a voice vote, reverses the Administration's efforts to end Operation Jump Start by keeping troops funded on the border through fiscal year 2008. "The number of illegal aliens attempting to cross the border decreased by about 25 percent since National Guard troops were deployed," said Sen. Sessions. "This program is a proven success and it would be unthinkable to back away so soon from this critical part of our border enforcement strategy." (Reuters, Oct. 4, 2007)

Earlier in the day, the Senate adopted by a vote of 95-1 an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill authored by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) that would provide $3 billion for security at the U.S.-Mexico border. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) spoke in support of the amendment, saying, "There's no greater domestic issue in this country than the problems on our southern border with Mexico, and it is time that Congress makes a commitment to make border security a reality." The amendment sets aside money for selected purposes at the discretion of the Administration. The Administration may spend this $3 billion to hire additional border patrol agents, to install fencing and vehicle barriers along the border, for removal and detention of illegal aliens, and to reimburse states and localities utilizing a 287(g) program. The only money dedicated to a specific enforcement area is $60,000,000 designated for employment eligibility verification programs.

During the debate on the amendment Senator Graham demonstrated that he had no intent of giving up on "comprehensive immigration reform." Indicating that the enforcement package was aimed at laying the predicate for further legislative action, he said, "People who want border security first, this is a recognition that we've listened to you, we understand what you're saying, and we're putting money aside to make sure we secure our border." (Houston Chronicle, Oct. 4, 2007; The State, Oct. 4, 2007)