Thread: US Senate Convenes (9:33am ET) - Getting Starting

Yields to Specter...


Specter speaking...

Outlines various improvements in border security infrastructure...

Border security / trigger mechanisms - we don't want to tamper with provisions designed by DHS... stay with original plan - reject Gregg Amend.

Yields to Salazar...



Salazar speaking...

Asks senators to reject Gregg Amend. Think there is broad agreement on need to secure border.

We need to do a number of things - BP agents, 370 miles fence, radar/camera towers, UAVs, etc.

Numbers not random - these were provided by DHS Sec.

Salazar yields...


Gregg has floor..

[missed part here]...

Picking up with border security / staffing level of BP...

Bill requires only several million dollars in addition to existing funding levels.

Says that certification of numbers should be done by GAO.

Takes # of BP up by 2000, vehicle barriers up by 100, detention up by 2000 beds thousands., 35 towers, etc.

Relies upon Isakson trigger - which in total will provide operational control of border. Consistent with what has been said has been needed.

Irony - less than 6 months ago, put in place mechanism to produce numbers.

Seems to him, how can we in 6 mos, have the numbers be different?

The numbers do not represent a dramatic shift in resources or priorities.

(Voted for S2611 - on Rep side)

US people will not be sold on CIR until border is secured.

On S border, citizens want it stopped - want assurance that free movement will end.

Accomplishes underlying goal of trigger.

How long will these numbers be applicable? (bill lists 18 mos)

With sufficient funding, DHS can do all this in same time frame - he contends. "Very do-able" In 18 months.

A set time frame to declare control of border doesn't make sense.

Need benchmarks to compare progress against.

I hope Gregg Amend will not be tabled.

"Are changes so onerous that they are 'deal killers'?
If that's the case, then this deal must be dead."

Yields...


Sen Kennedy...

Asks to submit DHS document into record - describes provisions for border security produced by DHS.

It's going to do disparate elements - personnel, resources, infrastructure, etc - and that is what we've accepted.

Suggests amendment be tabled [doesn't want it to be approved]

(Clerk to call the roll)...pause..

Kennedy has floor...

[They're bickering back-forth about whether to table the amendment or not...it's kinda funny]

[Roster of speakers is not totally organized.... they are 'winging it' here]


Gregg floor...

Position: contained in bill that operation control of border is not guaranteed by outlined funding, resource improvements.

Cites TJ Bonner of USBP

Virtual fencing issue -

Gregg - my additions will fully provide for full operation control of border.
It is not outrageous, too expensive, etc.

Yields...(is not happy)


Kennedy floor...

Clerk calls roll...(pause)..

[Explanation - Kennedy made a motion to table Gregg's Amendment - to 'kill' it effectively. Gregg was not happy about that. I think Kennedy was also not happy about Gregg offering an amendment that tweaked the parameters that he and the Masters of the Universe had put into paper in crafting the bill originally - sorry about the editorial....PhE]

[Sorry folks, but it looks as though I'm going to get pulled away for a while again...I'll try to resume to catch the rest of today's debate if possible. If not, then I'll try to log back on later and do some summary / analysis / commentary about all this as well - Good Day! PhE]

Thanks for your work PhredE