Feds: Border fence might not be done by end of Bush term

The federal government says it doubts it will complete the fence separating the United States and Mexico before the current administration leaves office.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President George W. Bush wanted to finish building its southwest border fence before he leaves office. But the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday he cannot promise he will meet that Jan. 20 deadline.
The plan has been to complete the 670 miles of physical fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border by the end of this year, and so far 344 miles are complete.

But Customs Commissioner Ralph Basham Wednesday could only assure that the remaining portions of fence would be under contract or under construction when the Bush administration leaves office, and the agency needs an additional $400 million to do this.

Higher costs of fuel, steel and limited available labor have led to the $400 million shortfall.
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