Senate Adopts Emergency Border Security Legislation

[Casino67]

Senatus:



Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), along with “Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Mark Begich (D-AK) today announced a $600 million emergency package to improve security along the U.S.-Mexican border,” according to a press release.

The proposal would deploy 1500 new enforcement agents and fund unmanned aerial vehicles to boost border surveillance.

Offset:

To offset the emergency border spending, the Senate proposal would hike fees assessed on particular companies that exploit two categories of visas. A handful of foreign-controlled companies that operate in the United States—such as Wipro, Tata, Infosys and Satyam—rely on H1B and L visas to import foreign workers to the United States. The Senate Democrats’ border security proposal would increase the visa fees paid by these companies by roughly $2,000 per visa application.

According to Congressional Quarterly, Senator Schumer “said they would try to pass the measure by voice vote before the Senate adjourns, presenting a political challenge to Republicans who have insisted on bolstering border security as a precondition to discussing broader immigration measures sought by Democrats.”

A “$701 million border security bill” offered by Republicans would be paid for by taking money “away from the economic stimulus program.”

Update: This bill (H.R. 5875 with text of S. 3721) has been unanimously passed by the Senate. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) wanted to add three amendments to the bill paid for with unspent stimulus funds: $200 million for Operation Streamline, $68 million for customs inspectors and $20 million for the Law Enforcement Support Center.

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) objected, but McCain still supported the bill calling it a “significant step forward.” He and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) weren’t pleased that the bill didn’t contain funding to pay for the completion of a border fence.

[Argyle58]

How about taking the money that was appropriated three years ago to build a fence, and use it TO BUILD A D***ED FENCE?!?!?