by Lisa Mascaro
The Senate approved a $600 million border security bill Thursday morning, sending President Obama his request for 1,500 more troops and immigration officials to beef up security along the border with Mexico.
Obama is expected to sign the legislation as soon as possible.
The measure is an important election year issue as lawmakers from both parties intend to show voters Washington is capable of addressing border security after Arizona passed its tough illegal immigration law.
Most senators did not return from their August recess for the quick, do-over vote that was required because of a procedural mishap in passing the measure the first time. The bill passed without dissent. The House passed unanimously the bill Tuesday.
The costs of the enhanced border security are being paid for by substantially increasing fees on companies that hire foreign workers.
Immigration advocates have denounced the package as an election year stunt that will do little to address the complex problems of illegal immigration.
But lawmakers believe securing the border first will allow a broader debate on comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people here illegally.
Comments
GOP Generational Theft by Deception Axis of Evil Doers Speak! So what if we didn't secure the border! So what! So what! America doesn't know that! America is still stuck in the GOP 108th Congress "suspension of disbelief." So what! So what! It was always about "civil rights." It was always about YOU LIE! YOU LIE! Rep Joe Wilson, YOU LIE, hispanic, latinos, mexican american born alike who went through the backdoor of their AMERICA! So what if we failed at securing the border! It was always about "distracting" America after 9/11! It was always about 20 Million McCain sponsored "Z" People paying into what would have been a failed, collapsed "Private Social Security Account." So what! So what if we spent 4.4 Billion Dollars on a Secure Fence Act that didn't work! So what! So what! It's Obama's fault! America lives in the GOP "AGE of the Visual" What they see they don't! Selling the GOP out for some "Chicken and Change," two "Sotomoyor tacos, rice and beans." It was always about State Federal Budget Dollars! We're the Party of No! We're the TEA PARTY of Just Hell NO YOU LIE! YOU LIE! Obama, brown skin, brown eyes, Professors trying to go though the backdoor of their America. Keep the GOP Border Beat dollars coming! Keep the GOP Border Beat dollars coming! We failed to secure the GOP human economic opportunity border! As the GOP post Bush/Cheney Generational Theft by Deception Axis of Evil Doers Club goes on VACATION!
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 12, 2010 2:32 PM
At election time every politician likes to say, "I'm a conservative!"
Posted by: Bye Bye MSM | August 12, 2010 2:49 PM
Most senators did not return from their August recess for the quick, do-over vote that was required because of a procedural mishap in passing the measure the first time.
Something the article lacks: Was McCain there?
Next: The teabaggers will say it's just smoke and mirrors and Obama has no intention of stopping those illegals from running across the boarder and dropping their little brown "anchor babies" in our hospitals.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 12, 2010 5:39 PM
When is Roger Morris's acid trip ever going to end?
Posted by: conservativemaster | August 12, 2010 5:40 PM
Can't wait to hear all these lib politicians campaign about how tough they suddenly have become on border security. When they start actually enforcing existing law and engaging in mass deportation of illegals, maybe I'll believe them.
Posted by: Nice try, libs. Better luck next time. | August 13, 2010 8:37 AM
" When they start actually enforcing existing law and engaging in mass deportation of illegals, maybe I'll believe them."
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Yup! I can't wait until all the Corporation who hire illegals get a huge bill! They will think twice about hiring illegals.
Posted by: HmongRodneyKing | August 13, 2010 12:19 PM