The border security bill cleared the Senate on Thursday. The session only had two Democrats in attendance, since the Senate is taking its August break. The border security bill allocates $ 600 million to hire more agents and purchase more equipment to police the U.S./Mexico border. Border states dealing with illegal immigration and drug trafficking are pressuring the federal government to take concrete steps toward border security.
1,500 border security jobs funded by bill
To pass the border security bill, the Senate convened a special session Thursday. Unanimous consent, a parliamentary procedure that doesn’t require the entire Senate to be present, was used to pass the bill. In a rare moment of consensus, Republicans agreed to go along. 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. Updated communications equipment and more surveillance drone flights are also funded. The bill sends about $ 200 million to the Justice Department for funding its efforts with the FBI, DEA and ATF within the fight against drug dealers and human traffickers.
Bill penalizes legal immigration
For politicians trying to win over voters with their border security creed within the aftermath of Arizona’s immigration law, the border security bill is election year theatre. To pay for the $ 600 million dollar bill, the Los Angeles Times reports that fees can be substantially hiked on businesses that use U.S. visa programs to hire foreign workers legally. The package is an election year stunt that does little to address the complexities of illegal immigration, according to immigration advocates. Politicians say a broader debate on immigration reform that includes a route to citizenship for about 11 million illegal immigrants can be made possible when the border is secured.
Unique session a rare occurrence
The special session marked only the second time that the Senate convened during its summer recess since the break was mandated in 1970, as outlined by the Senate Historical Office. 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. Both the Senate and also the House had already passed the border security bill. However, an overlooked rule in the Senate’s arcane procedures forced a re-vote. The first and only other time the Senate convened during the August break was a special session within the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Further reading on this topic
Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap
Los Angeles Times
latimes.com
New York Times
thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com
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