Senate Approves Border Security in Homeland Security Bill

  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) today proposed an amendment to the homeland security bill that would fund a seven hundred mile fence at the southern border.

an amendment devoting $3 billion to increase border security efforts as part of a $38 billion homeland security funding bill.

The amendment by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) provides funding to build a 700-mile long fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, as called for in the Secure Fence Act. It also requires the federal government to establish and to demonstrate operational control over 100 percent of the land and maritime borders between the U.S. and Mexico.

  What is shocking to me here is that the senate approved it by a vote of 89-1. It’s not the margin of victory in this vote I am referring to,although it is impressive, it is the fact that they approved it at all. Maybe the Republicans are finally realizing that although they are in the minority they do have some power to legislate if they hold firm in what they believe in. The Democrats have a very slim majority and need Republicans to vote with them in order to accomplish anything. It’s time for the Republicans to start assurting themselves like the Democrats do. Show some balls and stand up and serve the American people.

The amendment provides to hire, train and deploy 23,000 Customs and Border Patrol agents. It seeks to permanently end the “catch and release” of illegal aliens by providing the resources necessary to detain up to 45,000 individuals a day.

The amendment also provides funding for 300 miles of vehicle barriers at the border, 105 ground-based radar and camera towers, and the deployment of four unmanned aerial vehicles at the border. In addition, it provides funds to cover the deportation of absconders and visa overstays.

  The American people let their voices be heard during the immigration reform debacle and the politicians had no choice but to listen. WE told congress that WE wanted the border secured first, work on the other problems after that. WE spoke in such large numbers that they had to pay attention in Washington, and they did.