Dec. 13, 2007, 6:48PM
Cornyn calls for response to longer border lines


© 2007 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Additional inspection lanes and more inspectors and other resources could help reduce longer waits at ports of entry, Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday.

Cornyn filed a bill authorizing an additional 2,000 inspectors for the northern and southern borders, 1,000 more Customs and Border Protection air and sea port inspectors, salary increases for border officers and other resources to be added during 2009-12.

Cornyn's bill is in response to complaints of longer wait times this summer to re-enter the U.S. at border crossing points.

The Department of Homeland Security has stepped up ID checks and inspections at some entry points. Next month, people will be required to show a government issued ID, such as a driver's license, and proof of citizenship to re-enter the U.S. at the southern border.

Oral declarations of citizenship will no longer be accepted.

"This bill will begin to provide immediate relief to a growing problem that harms economic growth on the Texas border," Cornyn said in a statement.

The bill is unlikely to pass before the end of the session, but could be taken up next year. Cornyn's bill only would authorize the additional resources. Money for them would have to come in a separate appropriations bill.

An estimate of their cost was not included with the bill. Cornyn's office is seeking one from the Congressional Budget Office.

Cornyn, R-Texas, voted for the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that mandated the stepped up inspections.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5377374.html