Senate Approves Border Spending Bill, Heads to Pres. Obama for Signature
The Senate reconvened on Thursday to unanimously consent to the $600 million border security spending bill that provides funding for more border agents and unmanned surveillance drones. The spending bill initiated in the Senate, but, due to a Constitutional clause requiring all revenue bills to originate in the House, the House introduced a new bill with the same provisions during a special session last week.
With the bill's passage, the Democratic Leadership in Congress says it shows their commitment to securing the border.
"It will clear the path for restarting bipartisan discussions," Sen. Chuck Schumer, who chairs the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, said.
While well-intended, the bill does strip $100 million of funding from the construction of the border fence to help finance the bill. It also increases funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection by $356,900,000 with $58 million to hire additional officers; $32 million for Air and Marine Interdiction; $9 million for Construction and Facilities Management; $30 million for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the Southwest border; $50 million for State and Local Programs; and $8,100,000 for salaries and expenses to train new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers.
For more information, see our bill analysis for H.R.6080.