Increase in border patrol agents approved by Senate

Increase in border patrol agents approved by Senate

by tony batt
stephens washington bureau

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted overwhelmingly last week to spend $3 billion over the next five years to hire thousands of new border patrol agents and expand technological surveillance of the nation’s borders

The money would be included in a homeland security spending bill, which the Senate approved after failing last month to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

The 89-1 vote to beef up border patrol underscored the lingering prominence of immigration as an issue that galvanizes American voters.

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, was the only senator to oppose the border security spending increase, citing his reluctance “to burden our children and grandchildren with another $3 billion of debt.â€

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, was the only senator to oppose the border security spending increase, citing his reluctance “to burden our children and grandchildren with another $3 billion of debt.â€