Thread: Cornyn: Border areas must have input on fence

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July 19, 2007, 2:54PM
Cornyn: Border areas must have input on fence


By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

WASHINGTON — Frustrated by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's decision to start construction of a controversial border fence in Texas this year, Sen. John Cornyn pledged today to fight any effort that proceeds without community input.

"I assure you there will be local consultation," the Texas Republican said in a call with state reporters. "There will not be ... unilateral actions on the part of the Department of Homeland Security without local input."

With border communities up in arms about the fencing, Cornyn is ramping up his criticism, saying he's very frustrated by what he termed the department's "ham-fisted" handling of a highly controversial matter.

"This could not be mishandled any worse, as far as I'm concerned," said Cornyn, who voted last year for legislation mandating the construction of 700 miles of double-layered fencing at the Southwest border but insisted that local leaders be consulted.

In an interview Wednesday with the Houston Chronicle, Chertoff said construction would begin by this fall. While Chertoff said communities would be consulted "in terms of style" of fencing, he reiterated what he's long said: "We can't give border communities a veto."

But Cornyn said the department has ignored its pledge of consultation, noting that Homeland Security officials prepared a map identifying 153 miles of fencing in Texas without talking to local elected officials. Department officials have repudiated the map, saying it was a preliminary plan meant only as a starting point for discussion.

"Now I read that Secretary Chertoff has said that construction will begin this year," Cornyn said. "But he won't say where."

The fence issue is a tricky one for Texas elected officials in Washington, and particularly for Cornyn, who is up for re-election next year. On the one hand, Cornyn and other Texas congressional delegation members are pressing for increased border security. But they also are facing a huge wave of opposition to the fence from border officials and landowners who view it as the wrong approach to border security.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4982489.html

Which side is my poor misguided senator on. Voted for the fence but now he doesn't want it? Wonder who's lining his pockets? I guess his association with Feinstein has messed him up or maybe its just his true colors coming out.

Another flip flopper!!

We should send him a pair of flip/flops! I think he would get the message!

I say watch him closely. About a year ago he had legislation that was part of the NAU and he ditched it at the last moment when news was first breaking out about that meeting the 3 stooges had. I don't trust that lady senator from Texas either.

Texas is a big state! Shouldn't Cornyn be more worried about the concerns of the voters that don't live on the border? Furthermore, the folks along the border should worry more about the security of our nation over the small inconvieniences they'll have to suffer. This is no time for the NIMBY attitude.

a huge wave of opposition to the fence from border officials and landowners who view it as the wrong approach to border security.

I really got to wonder about those who say they oppose...I wonder what landowners ????I wonder which border officials??????and Why????I bet I know who and what they are and do...

This is BS, many of the border towns are foreign invader occupied territory! This is like asking AlQuaida if it is OK to bomb their camps!

There seems to be something going on here.

Suddenly, Chertoff is all for it and Mr. Cronyn wants to let the 'community' design the fences?

Maybe neither one of them really want it and they are playing

'Good Cop - Bad Cop'.

Personally, I have never trusted either of our Texas Senators. They both have had ample time to speak their piece, introduce their legislature and do what is right for Texas and America -

Our lady senator's messages in the past have been a little more pro-amnesty than she would have you believe.

I think we can hold their feet to the fire and get some things out of the government - I still think it is up to the people to do something about this.