Senate backs border fencing over virtual tech
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Wednesday to require actual fencing along 700 miles of the border with Mexico rather than vehicle barriers and high-tech equipment.
The plan by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., won approval by a 54-44 vote as the Senate began a second day of debate on a $42.9 billion measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.
DeMint said the U.S.-Mexico border “has become a battleground” as drug and weapons traffickers, along with illegal immigrants, move too freely. He said the department is spending too much on “virtual” fencing such as motion detectors. Those barriers, he said, don’t work as well as a real fence designed to block people crossing the border on foot.
Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, countered that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency was the best judge of the preferred fencing for various parts of the border. He said some stretches of physical fencing can cost up to $5 million per mile.
Separately, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., pushed through a plan to extend permanently the E-Verify program, which uses the Social Security database to check whether workers are illegal immigrants. His plan also would require companies doing business with the federal government to use the system.
The two developments demonstrated the extent to which spending bills can serve as vehicles for policy debates.
On Tuesday night, for example, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment that effectively would force General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC to restore franchise agreements with dealers as a condition of partial government ownership. That development came as the committee approved a spending bill to fund the Treasury Department, White House operations and other programs.
“It would force them to honor their franchise agreements and not use the excuse of bankruptcy to do what they couldn’t have done under state franchise law,” said Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio. “There are horror stories all over the country.”
LaTourette’s amendment is vulnerable to a procedural challenge in the full House next week. But the committee chairman, Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., said he would fight to save the amendment.
Other budget work kept Congress busy Wednesday.
A Senate panel approved a $34.3 billion measure for the Energy Department and Army Corps of Engineers’ water projects. A second was set to OK a $24.4 billion proposal for the Treasury Department, the White House and the federal contribution to the District of Columbia.
Later, the House planned to consider a measure covering farm and nutrition programs.
Related News
Immigrant deaths near the US-Mexico border at a glanceOctober 2nd, 2009 Immigrant deaths near the US-Mexico borderThe number of immigrants who died while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border:
— 492 in fiscal year 2005
— 454 in fiscal year 2006
— 398 in fiscal year 2007
— 390 in fiscal year 2008
— 378 in fiscal year 2009-x
x-2009 figure includes deaths through Aug. 31. Deaths in September, the last month of the fiscal year, haven't yet been totaled.
Report: Southwest border fence still delayed and will cost $6.5B to maintain over 20 yearsSeptember 17th, 2009 Gov't: Border fence to cost $6.5B over 20 yearsWASHINGTON — It will cost taxpayers $6.5 billion over the next 20 years to maintain the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a government audit. But as the Obama administration realizes the long-term costs of the border fence, it does not have a way to evaluate whether this investment has helped control illegal entries into the country, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Thursday.
US, Mexico to create secure, trans-border communication system for law enforcementSeptember 3rd, 2009 US, Mexico to improve border police communicationMEXICO CITY — Mexico and the U.S. are creating a trans-border communications network that will help police on both sides fight crime and violence.
Governors of California, New Mexico, Arizona skip border conference on security, economySeptember 3rd, 2009 3 US governors no-show at border conferenceMONTERREY, Mexico — Mexico's interior secretary says escalating violence along the U.S. border is a reaction to the country's crackdown on organized crime.
Bankruptcy judge backs Grupo Mexico over Sterlite in bid to regain Asarco operationsSeptember 1st, 2009 Bankruptcy judge backs Grupo Mexico bid for AsarcoDENVER — A bankruptcy judge is recommending a revised bid from Sterlite Industries for the assets of Arizona miner Asarco LLC be rejected. He says the Grupo Mexico bid to regain control over Asarco is still superior.
Senate Democratic leader Reid supports temporary appointment for Kennedy's seatAugust 27th, 2009 Reid backs interim appointment for Kennedy's seatWASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he backs a change in Massachusetts law to allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's seat.
Frontier justice: Mexico arrests 6 in theft of chunks of border fence to sell for scrapAugust 27th, 2009 Mexico nabs 6 in theft of border-fence steelTIJUANA, Mexico — Police in the Mexican border city of Tijuana say they have arrested six men for stealing pieces of the U.S. border fence to sell as scrap metal.
DHS border czar Bersin says threat of Mexican drug violence spillover triggering initiativesJuly 16th, 2009 Bersin: Mexican drug violence threat major concernNOGALES, Ariz. — Ongoing concerns that drug-related violence in Mexico poses a threat to American communities remain the Obama administration's border focus, the federal government's border czar said Wednesday.
House ponders more food stamp money while Senate approves increases for financial regulatorsJuly 8th, 2009 House considers increase for food stamp programWASHINGTON — The House took up a bill on Wednesday that funds a 14 percent increase for food stamps as more people become eligible for the program because of rising unemployment. Across the Capitol, a Senate panel approved sharply higher budgets for the regulators of the securities and futures markets.
US-Mexico border security wall may threaten wildlife speciesJuly 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Biologists have determined that a 700-mile security wall under construction along the United States' border with Mexico could significantly alter the movement and "connectivity" of wildlife, with the animals' potential isolation a threat to populations of some species. However, technology and alterations to the design could dramatically improve the potential for animals to move more freely between the two countries, the scientists added.
NM ranchers say new border barriers don't stop sick cows from crossing into US from MexicoJune 20th, 2009 NM ranchers worry that sick cows could cross to USALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Longtime New Mexico cattle rancher Judy Keeler is keenly aware of how tough it is to raise livestock in the dusty desert near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Supreme Court rejects Texas counties' plea to take case on building of border fenceJune 15th, 2009 Court turns down Texas counties over border fenceEL PASO, Texas — The Supreme Court on Monday refused to get involved in local Texas governments' fight against hundreds of miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. The court rejected a challenge by El Paso and other counties to a lower court ruling dismissing a lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Border Patrol: Truck driver arrested trying to smuggle 73 over California-Mexico borderJune 8th, 2009 Border Patrol: Driver tried to smuggle 73 into USCAMPO, Calif. — The U.S.
Senate backs amendment to allow loaded guns in national parksMay 13th, 2009 Senate backs allowing guns in national parksWASHINGTON — The Senate has approved a measure that would allow people to carry loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges. Republican Sen.
Feds to begin building virtual fence expected to span nearly entire Mexican border in 5 yearsMay 8th, 2009 Feds ready to build virtual fence along borderTUCSON, Ariz. — Federal officials plan to start construction within weeks on a new "virtual fence" along the U.S.-Mexico border that they say could almost completely cover the nearly 2,000-mile frontier within five years.
Loading ...