Senate approves $600 million in border security funds
By: CNN Wire Staff
Updated: August 12, 2010
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two senators -- Democrats Charles Schumer of New York and Ben Cardin of Maryland -- returned from their August recess Thursday to give the chamber's approval for $600 million in emergency funding to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
The measure, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, now advances to President Barack Obama's desk to be signed into law.
The bill passed by unanimous consent, a parliamentary term for a voice vote that doesn't require the return of the entire Senate chamber. GOP leaders had agreed to the maneuver.
Among other things, the bill provides for roughly 1,500 new law enforcement agents, new unmanned aerial vehicles, new forwarding operating bases and $14 million in new communications equipment.
The measure has attracted strong Democratic and Republican support. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano praised the plan last week, saying it would "add important, permanent resources to continue bolstering security on our Southwest border."
"These assets are critical to bringing additional capabilities to crack down on transnational criminal organizations and reduce the illicit trafficking of people, drugs, currency and weapons," she said.
The bill is funded in part by imposing higher fees on personnel companies that bring foreign workers into the United States.
The-CNN-Wire/Atlanta
TM & © 2010 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
The measure, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, now advances to President Barack Obama's desk to be signed into law.
The bill passed by unanimous consent, a parliamentary term for a voice vote that doesn't require the return of the entire Senate chamber. GOP leaders had agreed to the maneuver.
Among other things, the bill provides for roughly 1,500 new law enforcement agents, new unmanned aerial vehicles, new forwarding operating bases and $14 million in new communications equipment.
The measure has attracted strong Democratic and Republican support. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano praised the plan last week, saying it would "add important, permanent resources to continue bolstering security on our Southwest border."
"These assets are critical to bringing additional capabilities to crack down on transnational criminal organizations and reduce the illicit trafficking of people, drugs, currency and weapons," she said.
The bill is funded in part by imposing higher fees on personnel companies that bring foreign workers into the United States.
The-CNN-Wire/Atlanta
TM & © 2010 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
