Thread: Senate Shuns Attempt to add Border Agents

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050 ... -7851r.htm

Senate shuns attempt to add agents

By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
July 15, 2005

The Senate voted yesterday against fulfilling its pledge from last year to hire 2,000 more Border Patrol agents and fund 8,000 new detention beds for illegal aliens in fiscal 2006, as some potential presidential candidates weighed in on border security and illegal immigration.

The intelligence overhaul bill that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in December called for 2,000 new agents and 8,000 new detention beds every year for the next five years in order to meet a threat posed by illegal aliens.

Yesterday's votes were on amendments to the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, which funds only 1,000 more agents and 2,240 more detention beds in fiscal 2006.

Sen. John Ensign, Nevada Republican, had called for another 1,000 agents, and Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, called for 5,760 more beds in order to meet the goals set by last year's bill, with both increases being paid for by reducing grants to state and local governments.

"Anybody who comes into the United States of America across our southern border today and is from a country other than Mexico, 95 percent chance they will continue their journey to wherever they want to go," Mr. McCain said. "We don't have enough detention facilities. We don't have enough beds."

But Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said the amendments would sap funds from local law enforcement.

"That's the problem here. It's not in strengthening the borders. It's in taking away money from the people every day who defend us and, since 9/11, have new duties," he said.

Both amendments failed -- Mr. Ensign's by a 60-38 vote, and Mr. McCain's 56-42. Later in the evening, the overall Homeland Security bill passed 96-1, with Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, voting against it.
The Senate debate came as Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff testified to both chambers of Congress that better homeland security requires a broad immigration policy change.

Meanwhile, potential presidential candidates weighed in on yesterday's amendments and immigration policy, with Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Republican, voting for both amendments.

"Immigrants have enhanced our history, and they will enhance our future, but we must make sure they come to America legally," Mr. Frist said. "It's a matter of security in a time of war. It's also a matter of morality for a caring nation and a nation of laws."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat, who had made a splash recently with comments about cracking down on illegal immigration, voted against both amendments, as did Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic nominee, and Democratic Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, who has said he plans to run.

Mrs. Clinton's office didn't return a call for comment, but other prominent Democrats who are considered presidential candidates said they didn't want to vote for cuts in first-responder grants to localities.

"Homeland security isn't served when we steal from firefighters, police officers and other first responders to hire Border Patrol agents," said David Wade, a spokesman for Mr. Kerry. "If the Republicans who run Congress had drafted a bill that actually meets our needs, none of these votes would be necessary."

Norm Kurz, a spokesman for Mr. Biden, said the Delaware senator introduced his own bill earlier this year calling for an increase in agents and voted for the intelligence bill last year.

"He just doesn't support doing these things at the expense of police, fire and EMTs," Mr. Kurz said.

Mr. Kurz said Mr. Biden's bill called for 1,500 agents, although the text only shows 800 agents and 300 investigators.

Sen. Rick Santorum, Pennsylvania Republican, and Sen. Evan Bayh, Indiana Democrat, voted against the Border Patrol increase but for the detention bed increase.

Mr. Bayh's spokesman, Dan Pfeiffer, said the Homeland Security Department has said it can only train 1,200 to 1,500 agents a year right now anyway. He said Mr. Bayh voted for the detention beds because 90 percent of aliens who aren't detained never show up at their deportation hearings.

Robert Traynham, a spokesman for Mr. Santorum, agreed, saying the detention beds money could be spent this year.

"The senator is for border security, but he would like for us to spend it in a responsible and approriate way," Mr. Traynham said.
Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado was the only Democrat to vote for both amendments.

What a bunch of loons. I guess they really want CAFTA to pass and to end the United States of America.

The Senate voted yesterday against fulfilling its pledge from last year to hire 2,000 more Border Patrol agents and fund 8,000 new detention beds for illegal aliens in fiscal 2006, as some potential presidential candidates weighed in on border security and illegal immigration.

So in typical politician fashion, they were for it before they were against it.

The Senate voted yesterday against fulfilling its pledge from last year to hire 2,000 more Border Patrol agents and fund 8,000 new detention beds for illegal aliens in fiscal 2006, as some potential presidential candidates weighed in on border security and illegal immigration.

OF COURSE, they are trying to kill us all. You can't believe a word they say or rely upon one action or promise they make. The bill signed into law already requires the 2000 new border agents. HOW DO THEY CIRCUMVENT what has already been enacted?

But Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, said the amendments would sap funds from local law enforcement.

"That's the problem here. It's not in strengthening the borders. It's in taking away money from the people every day who defend us and, since 9/11, have new duties," he said.

What is this man talking about? What is he saying? What does LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT have to do with Border Security? They are two different things, right? One LOCAL....One FEDERAL! OR NOT?

DOES OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT NOW REPORT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? OR DOES OUR GOVERNMENT NOW REPORT TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT? ARE THEY MERGING?

The Senate debate came as Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff testified to both chambers of Congress that better homeland security requires a broad immigration policy change.

Chertoff, you are an idiot. Your job is to protect the people of the United States NOT expound on social issues like "immigration" policy.

FIRE CHERTOFF--He will get us all killed.

"Immigrants have enhanced our history, and they will enhance our future, but we must make sure they come to America legally," Mr. Frist said. "It's a matter of security in a time of war. It's also a matter of morality for a caring nation and a nation of laws."

What is this MEDICAL MORON talking about? "It's a matter of security in a time of war" AND that's why he voted against the 2000 new border agents? These people are insane.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat, who had made a splash recently with comments about cracking down on illegal immigration, voted against both amendments, as did Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the 2004 Democratic nominee, and Democratic Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, who has said he plans to run.

Well, dear Democrats....there is your 2008 Line Up....everyone of them prepared to get you killed. Every one of them ready to lie to you for months to gain your trust and then when you need a simple little vote to add the 2000 border agents another law already passed requires them to provide, BOOM, they make sure we don't get the protection.

Mrs. Clinton's office didn't return a call for comment, but other prominent Democrats who are considered presidential candidates said they didn't want to vote for cuts in first-responder grants to localities.

I'll bet she didn't return a call for comment, she voted, and then wriggled back into her worm hole like a good little Traitor!!

"Homeland security isn't served when we steal from firefighters, police officers and other first responders to hire Border Patrol agents," said David Wade, a spokesman for Mr. Kerry. "If the Republicans who run Congress had drafted a bill that actually meets our needs, none of these votes would be necessary."

Well....just who is the Kerry Kong worried about? Firefighters? Oh...right. You lyin sack of donkey manure. See if your twisted pebble brain can understand this. See...Kong...if you had proper border security, then there is a strong possibility that the "terrorists" that destroyed the WTC and killed 300 Firefighters would not have been allowed to enter the country or if they did get by the system, they would have been picked up immediately when THEIR VISAS EXPIRED had there been enough Border Patrol Agents and Officers to do their job for the American People.

DO YOU really expect US to believe that the Firefighters would prefer to have better equipment the NEXT TIME they enter a WTC Facility after it's been attached by terrorists? I'll bet they would much PREFER that the next WTC disaster not happen. Avoiding THAT to begin with is the NO. ! Priority...that is of course assuming that the "terrorist" theory is a real one. Looking MORE FAKE every day!!

Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado was the only Democrat to vote for both amendments.

Well....well....keep an eye on this one. He voted right on this and another one. Does anyone know how he voted on CAFTA?

PEOPLE: OUR US SENATE NO LONGER EXISTS! They have been re-incorporated into GLOBALISTS DEFEAT AMERICANS INC.

Judy,
Sadly, I believe that you are correct.