Posted on 07/18/2006 1:09:27 PM PDT by Founding Father
Getting tough on immigration apparently means refusing to provide funds for programs that have already been approved.
When the immigration issue was at the boiling point in the spring, the US Senate voted to erect a mere 370 miles of security fencing along the US-Mexican border. However, last week many of the same senators voted against providing funds to build it.
"We do a lot of talking. We do a lot of legislating," said Senator Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican whose amendment to fund the fence was killed on a 71-29 vote. "The things we do often sound very good, but we never quite get there," he told the Washington Times.
Sessions submitted his amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would have authorized $1.8 billion to build the security fence as promised by the lawmakers and the Bush Administration. Two months ago members of the Senate voted 83-16 to build the fence along high-traffic areas of the border with Mexico. In the same vote on May 17, the Senate also directed 500 miles of vehicle barriers to be built along the border, as well.
But the May vote only authorized the fencing and vehicle barriers, and while the senators are on record as voting for border fencing and barriers, without the appropriations they've voted not to build the fence they've authorized.
"If we never appropriate the money needed to construct these miles of fencing and vehicle barriers, those miles of fencing and vehicle barriers will never actually be constructed," Mr. Sessions said on the floor of the Senate just prior to the vote, which was aired on C-SPAN, but not by any of the broadcast or cable news shows.
Democrats were joined by 28 Republicans in opposing the Sessions amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Senators Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Thomas R. Carper of Delaware were the only two Democrats who voted for funding the fence.
The senators — including most of the Republican leadership — voted in May to build the fence but last week opposed funding it.
The appropriations bill, which allocates over $30 billion to the Homeland Security Department — which includes $2.2 billion for border security and control but no fencing –passed on a 100-0 vote.
Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, who in the past has fought to increase border security and enforcement of federal immigration laws, opposed Senator Session's amendment.
"We should build these walls; there's no question about it. But the real issue here is the offset that's being used, and the offset creates a Hobson's choice for almost everyone here," Greg told the Washington Post.
Mr. Session's amendment would have required across-the-board cuts to the rest of the Homeland Security appropriations bill, Mr. Gregg said, which would mean cutting 750 new border-patrol agents and 1,200 new detention beds for illegal aliens that he included in the bill.
"Once again we see our government officials trying to provide security-on-the-cheap. Americans should be outraged," said a Border Patrol agent, who wishes to remain anonymous.
"Did anyone really believe these guys [senators] want to secure the border?" he said.
Another Border Patrol agent was less diplomatic: "Our leaders are not serious about border security. A few hundred more agents is a far cry from what they promised. It's a con-job on the American people."
Gee, they're spending $$ for everything else.
"Big talk little do" is all that we can expect from these jerkoffs from h*ll. However, opening up social security to illegals is something all these so-called congressional members understand.
Roger that!
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Yes, and physically run the Congresscritters out of thier offices.
See my tagline. Outrageous, isn't it?
Did anyone really believe these guys [senators] want to secure the border?" he said.
No, but I can't believe they're so blatant about it.
They voted for the fence before they voted against it.
Does that sound familar????????
I think that if they would add a $1 option to the end of the tax return, that ALOT of people would chip in ... and they would get a small measure of how important this is the voters and tax payers.
Typical of Congress. They vote for something to get cheers from their base, then never fund it. Usually the lack of funding doesn't get nearly the press as the original vote.
And so it goes.
"Momma said it's a magic fence to keep out make-believe Mexicans."
Senator Forrest Gump, Foggy Bottom
Maybe someone on this thread can explain how or why they would apprpriate the money for legislation that has not been enacted?
28 RINOs need new jobs in their next election cycle, whether it be '06 or later.
Real conservatives need grassroots support in the primary season, because the 'leadership' of the party never back them against a RINO.
Never.
Maybe someone on this thread can explain how or why they would pass legislation promising border barriers for which they never intended to appropriate funds?
Does anyone know the names of those who voted against the money for the fence?
We must be very careful who we vote for in the next election.
71-29 - the "gop leadership" has shown exactly where its loyalty lies.
It's not US.
The Republic is really sinking fast.
Get the House to pass the the Senate bill and then you will get the money.
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