Posted on 09/29/2006 1:11:34 AM PDT by ruination
In a post 9/11 world, border security is a matter of national security. Securing our borders is not an insurmountable problem … but it has been a problem that too many have been willing to ignore for too long.
While our borders are still inexcusably porous, we’ve made a great deal of progress in the last two years. With the passage of Defense and Homeland Security appropriations bills, we will have added 3,736 new Border Patrol agents … 9,150 new detention beds … and 1,373 detention personnel. We’ve more than quadrupled spending on border and immigration enforcement … increasing funding from $4 billion prior to 9/11 to over $16 billion today. We’ve seen apprehensions at the border increase by 45%. We’ve ended catch-and-release.
And, just moments ago, the Senate invoked cloture on the Secure Fence Act of 2006 by a vote of 71-28. Tomorrow the Senate will pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk for his signature.
By requiring the construction of at least 700 miles of two-layered reinforced fencing along our southwest border and by mandating the use of cameras, ground sensors, UAVs and other forms of hi-tech surveillance, this legislation will help us gain control over every inch of our borders. The Homeland Security appropriations bill authorizes $1.8 billion in funding … so construction will proceed as quickly as possible. As the fence is erected, more funding in future budgets will be required, but I’m confident that the 71 Senators who proved themselves serious about border security today will support continued funding.
And the 27 Democrat Senators who opposed this crucial measure? Their votes serve as a reminder of the stakes of the elections this November. Democrats like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Maria Cantwell, Robert Menendez, and Harry Reid have again proven they don’t understand what it takes to secure the homeland. They simply cannot be trusted to support real action to secure our borders and they cannot be trusted to lead.
I shell.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!! FELIZ VIERNES!!
That's a beauty. My son builds trebuchets for fun, but he never uses them for sacking or pillaging.
Will that build the entire 700 miles, anyone know?
That proves we have the ability to build those high tech machines, would he volunteer to help?
but he never uses them for sacking or pillaging.
This one would be providing free return flights, so could be considered a humanitarian gesture unlike sacking or pillaging.
PS: This particular model will fling 300 lb.
He would probably volunteer...when he was in high school, his government class took a survey and he was the only one in the "extremely conservative" catagory, lol.
Ever been to the Punkin Chunkin in Delaware?
They better pass the Terrorist Surveillance Act today also or in one week it will shut down unless passed or at least a stay is granted by the appeals court.
Yes! and whine and squeak like the rats do.....hummm?!?
Evan Bayh from Indiana belongs in the list. He has been sleeping with this groups, but really doesn't want it to get out. Time to get it out. Indiana needs a true conservative in his place.
bravo. well put. thank you!
Dane, man, this has to suck for you. I'm sure you just hate the idea of a 700-mile fence (if it ever even gets built, despite the bill's passage.)
It sure looks like the 700 mile border fence bill will pass. But I predict there will be years delay (done on purpose) before it ever gets completely built. This bill is a election year sop. I hope I'm wrong and the fence gets erected ASAP
Bookmarking to review legislation before comment.
It would have been nice to have these done earlier to pass other important things, but at least they were done.
I think this time, running scared not only to retain his appointed Senate seat but to avoid the orange jump suit perp walk, Menendez will vote in favor of security and against his left-wing buds.
| NAYs ---28 | ||
| Akaka (D-HI) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Cantwell (D-WA) Carper (D-DE) Chafee (R-RI) Clinton (D-NY) Dodd (D-CT) Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) |
Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Jeffords (I-VT) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Kohl (D-WI) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Leahy (D-VT) Levin (D-MI) Lieberman (D-CT) |
Menendez (D-NJ) Murray (D-WA) Obama (D-IL) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Salazar (D-CO) Sarbanes (D-MD) Schumer (D-NY) |
| Not Voting - 1 | ||
| Snowe (R-ME) |
|
|
That's 2.5 million per mile! That should be more than enough to get the job done! (Although we are talking about government spending here)
Bingo. Sigh.
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