The Senate passed a border security bill on Thursday. The session only had two Democrats in attendance, because the Senate is taking its August break. The bill’s $ 600 million price pays for more equipment and more agents to secure the U.S border with Mexico. Border states dealing with illegal immigration and drug trafficking are pressuring the federal government to take concrete steps toward border security.
Bill funds 1,500 border security jobs
The border security bill was passed in a special session convened by the Senate Thursday. The bill was passed via unanimous consent, a parliamentary procedure that does not require the entire Senate to be present during the vote. G.O.P. senators cooperated for a change. The Associated Press reports that 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, 250 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and 250 more Customs and Border Protection officers are among the border security jobs funded by the bill. It also funds new communications equipment and greater use of unmanned surveillance drones. The bill sends about $ 200 million to the Justice Department for funding its efforts with the FBI, DEA and ATF in the fight against drug dealers and human traffickers.
Bill penalizes law-abiding companies
The border security bill is election year theatre both parties both parties hope convince voters the Washington is capable of addressing border security in the wake of Arizona’s immigration law. The Los Angeles Times reports that the $ 600 million price tag of the border security bill will be paid for by substantially boosting fees on businesses that hire foreign workers using U.S visa programs. Immigration advocates have denounced the package as an election year stunt that will do little to address the complex problems of illegal immigration. Politicians say a broader debate on immigration reform that contains a route to citizenship for about 11 million illegal immigrants will be made possible when the border is secured.
Special session is a special occasion
The Senate convened during its summer vacation for only the second time since the August break was institutionalized in 1970, the Senate Historical Office said. The New York Times reported that Democrats Charles E. Schumer of New York and Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland were the only lawmakers in attendance. The House and Senate had already passed the bill earlier within the week. But a re-vote was unavoidable after one of the Senate’s byzantine procedural rules was overlooked. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the first and only other time the Senate has convened during summer recess.
Further reading on this topic
Associated Press
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Los Angeles Times
latimes.com
New York Times
thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com
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