Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: TexasCajun
Am I correct that the bill/fence is not yet funded?

It was only partially funded some weeks back, but the money has since been allocated for other things. But, he's serious about border security. 'Virtually' that is! LMAO


Cornyn: 700 miles of border fence won't happen Senator says doesn't have funds.

Cornyn: 700 miles of border fence won't happen Senator says plan isn't practical, doesn't have the necessary funds.

By Eunice Moscoso WASHINGTON BUREAU Wednesday, October 04, 2006

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican and key liaison to the White House on immigration, said Tuesday that 700 miles of fencing approved by Congress for the United States' southern border will probably not be built because of a lack of money and other practical considerations. "It's one thing to authorize. It's another thing to actually appropriate the money and do it," he said.

Cornyn predicted that some fencing would be built as part of a comprehensive strategy that includes more Border Patrol agents, more technology, more detention facilities and various physical barriers.

"There's different kinds of fencing. . . . There's the old fence post and barbed wire, and then there's the virtual fence, which is a combination of physical barriers, people and technology, and I think, in the end, that will probably be how this is addressed," he said.

Cornyn added that 700 miles of fencing would not solve the problem of illegal immigration because it would still leave about 1,300 miles of unfenced border.

"I'm not sure that's the most practical use of that money," he said.

In many border areas, the federal government would have to figure out how to compensate land owners for the property used for the fence, which raises a lot of practical questions, he said.

In addition, residents in the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso and South Texas are concerned that a fence could harm legal trade and commerce back and forth across the border, which is key to jobs and the economy in those areas, he said.

Cornyn defended the Senate vote for the fencing, saying it was a symbolic gesture to show that Congress is serious about protecting the border.

Last-minute bill changes funding for border fence

WASHINGTON - No sooner did Congress authorize construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border last week than lawmakers rushed to approve separate legislation that ensures it will never be built, at least not as advertised, according to Republican lawmakers and immigration experts.

GOP leaders have singled out the fence as one of the primary accomplishments of the recently completed session. Many lawmakers plan to highlight their $1.2 billion down payment on its construction as they campaign in the weeks before the midterm elections.

But shortly before recessing late Friday, the House and Senate gave the Bush administration leeway to distribute the money to a combination of projects -- not just the physical barrier along the southern border. The funds may also be spent on roads, technology and "tactical infrastructure" to support the Homeland Security Department's preferred option of a "virtual fence."

The loopholes leave the Bush administration with authority to decide where, when and how long a fence will be built, except for small stretches east of San Diego and in western Arizona. Homeland Security officials have proposed a fence half as long, lawmakers said.

This case reflects political calculations by GOP strategists that voters do not mind the details, and that key players -- including the administration, local leaders and the Mexican government - oppose a fence-only approach, analysts said.


64 posted on 10/26/2006 11:28:57 AM PDT by Netizen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies ]


To: Netizen

Netizen, I urge you to go back to Cornyn's actual statement. the press report (as is typical) distorted the whole statement Cornyn made. Cornyn was *defending* the 'virtual fence' concept as practical alternative to an unfunded mandate, not attacking it!

Cornyn is 100% behind the border security bill just signed today.

Cornyn also know we need to DO MORE ... see:
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060725-120341-9795r.htm

It's about time we DEFENDED THE GOP MAJORITY so we can move forward on this. Senator Kennedy will *not* be the one to do anything on this.


91 posted on 10/26/2006 11:49:40 AM PDT by WOSG (Broken-glass time, Republicans! Save the Congress!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson