Funds for U.S.-Mexico Border Fence in Danger
The Associated Press : July 26 , 2007

"The battle began when Mr. Graham, (R., S.C.), and other Republicans tried to resurrect the border security plan and combine it with the GOP policy provisions from last month's immigration debate." A standoff in the Senate on Wednesday seemed to doom $3 billion in widely backed funds aimed at gaining control over the porous U.S.-Mexico border.

It started with an end-run by Republicans to pass some of the most popular elements of President Bush's failed immigration bill, including a plan to increase security along the southern border.


Democrats liked the money but objected to such Republican proposals as allowing law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status and cracking down on those who overstay their visas.


The move put political pressure on Senate Democrats. They killed Sen. Lindsey Graham's plan on a 52-44 procedural vote, but Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D., Nev.), immediately countered with a pared-down proposal containing only the border security funds. Sen. John Cornyn, (R., Texas), a Bush ally, killed that effort.


Dying with the proposals could be hopes for seizing "operational control" over the U.S.-Mexico border with additional Border Patrol agents, vehicle barriers, border fencing and observation towers.


The battle began when Mr. Graham, (R., S.C.), and other Republicans tried to resurrect the border security plan and combine it with the GOP policy provisions from last month's immigration debate.


Mr. Graham sought to add the Republicans' immigration plan -- over White House opposition -- to a pending bill to fund the budget for the Homeland Security Department.


The underlying bill had already drawn a veto threat for breaking Mr. Bush's budget. White House spokesman Scott Stanzel noted that Wednesday's plan would not have been financed by fines on illegal immigrants as were comparable provisions from the broader bill that died last month; it therefore would have added $3 billion to the deficit.