Political shenanigans are threatening appropriations that are essential to construct a fence and provide other components of border security.

The House-Senate conference committee dropped a $3 billion plan for border security from the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations Conference Report. The measure, which had passed both houses, would have been used towards completion of 700 miles of border fence, added 23,000 more border patrol officers, and beefed up surveillance along the US border with Mexico.

A similar level of funding is included in the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, but that bill is currently awaiting conference, and its passage is less certain than that of the defense bill. Moreover, there may be attempts to remove the requirement for constructing a fence.

Last year Congress passed the Secure Fence Act that committed the U.S. to build nearly 700 miles of double-tiered fencing along some of the most porous parts of the U.S.-Mexico border, but that legislation did not provide the funding. Insist that Congress follow through and provide the appropriations.

ACTION NEEDED

Tell your Senators and Congress member that Americans demand an effective fence and want funding for its construction now.


Subject:
Our nation is still not secure. We must fund and build the fence on the Mexican border.

Text:

I am deeply disappointed that the conference committee just removed $3 billion of border security funding from the Defense Appropriations bill. It is imperative that this funding be provided in the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

Congress passed the Secure Fence Act that committed the U.S. to build 700 miles of double-tiered fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Now it must follow up and provide the appropriations.

I ask you to see that Congress fully and expressly funds the mandated border fence as part of this year's DHS Appropriations bill.

The federal government has repeatedly promised Americans that it would secure our borders. It is shameful that Congress has still failed to provide the necessary funding, and it is time to remedy that mistake.

Please help secure our nation by voting to fund and construct the authorized fence along our southern border. Insist that the DHS appropriations include this vital measure.