Sep 8 2006

New Senate Bill Gives $2 Billion for Border Security-House Avoids Compromise on Immigration Reform

The Senate, yesterday, passed by a vote of 98-0 the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2007. The nearly $500 billion defense spending act includes roughly $2 billion allocated for emergency funding for border security measures. These border security measures were introduced in early August by Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ). The emergency funds would help pay for the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers along the southwest border of the U.S.

Similar provisions were included in an amendment connected to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill. However, that bill is currently in limbo as House Republican leaders actively subterfuge the process of coming up with a reasonable compromise that respects all sides of the immigration issue. The House is currently involved in a series of nationwide faux hearings on the topic and no compromise is on the table.