Byron York: Dems, Gang of Eight defeat tougher border security measures

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The Washington Examiner:

Byron York: Dems, Gang of Eight defeat tougher border security measures

 

May 9, 2013 | 9:00 pm

Byron York

 

Chief Political Correspondent

 

Sen. Marco Rubio, the leading Republican behind the bipartisan Gang of Eight immigration reform bill, has often said the legislation will require stronger border security measures if it is to become law. On Thursday, lawmakers got a glimpse of what that might mean.

 

As the Senate Judiciary Committee held its first meeting to consider a total of 300 proposed amendments to the bill, Gang members appeared willing to accept limited measures to toughen border security provisions. But the two Republican Gang members on the committee joined with majority Democrats to reject proposals that would strengthen security in a serious and far-reaching way. They also signaled a flat refusal to change the bill's plan to first legalize millions of currently illegal immigrants and only later enact new security.

 

Another Republican amendment would require Congress to certify when the border is actually secure, rather than leaving that determination to the Secretary of Homeland Security. (Secretary Janet Napolitano has said she believes the border is already secure.) Graham and Flake joined Democrats who unaminously voted to defeat the amendment.