Isakson Condemns Senate's Rejection of Amendments to Improve Border Security

May 27, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today strongly criticized the Senate’s rejection of three amendments to a supplemental spending bill that would have provided additional resources and manpower to secure the Southwest border.

“The Senate’s rejection of these amendments is appalling, and it’s no wonder the American people don’t trust Congress to secure the border. These funds would have gone a long way toward combating the illegal immigration, drug and alien smuggling and violent activity along the Southwest border,” Isakson said. “The defense of our nation begins with securing our borders, and it is time for Congress to demonstrate a strong commitment to border security. It is time we stop making promises. It is time we start delivering solutions.”

The first amendment, which failed by a vote of 51-46, would have fully funded the immediate deployment to the Southwest border of 6,000 National Guard troops, which is the same number of troops deployed in 2006 when violence was not at the level it is today. The Obama administration has announce plans to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the border. However, Isakson believes that number is not sufficient in light of escalating violence along the Southwest border. The $250 million cost would have been offset by unobligated stimulus funds.

The second amendment, which failed by a vote of 54-44, would have fully funded Operation Streamline, a multiagency law enforcement initiative to ensure that individuals apprehended for illegally crossing the border serve a short jail sentence. The $200 million cost would have been offset by unobligated stimulus funds.

The third amendment, which failed by a vote of 54-43, would have authorized additional resources for the Southwest border. It would have provided over $550 million for border security equipment and technology, including expanded unmanned aerial vehicle operations, additional helicopters for border enforcement, border surveillance and monitoring equipment, vehicles and mobile technology. The amendment also would have provided $300 million for state and local law enforcement entities, operating within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, to purchase equipment, hire personnel, including investigators and detectives, and cover salaries and expenses associated with border enforcement.

Additionally, the amendment would have provided over $180 million for Southwest border taskforces and $340 million to hire and support border enforcement personnel. It also would have provided $165 million for detention and removal activities as well as $200 million to hire 500 Customs Border and Patrol officers to staff Southwest border ports of entry and for infrastructure improvements at high-volume ports of entry. The cost of the amendment would have been offset by unobligated stimulus funds.

Each amendment required 60 votes to pass.