[kabar]

Under the Secure Fence Act, the federal government was instructed to complete "at least 2 layers of reinforced fencing" along a total of about 670 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border before the end of 2008. (Secure Fence Act of 2006). However, in December 2007, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) successfully attached an amendment to the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act that effectively gutted the two layer reinforced fencing requirement by giving DHS the discretion to construct other types of barriers to count toward the 670 mile total. (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, December 26, 2007). As a result, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in January 2009 that only 32 miles of double-layered fencing had been built, and that DHS had no intention to significantly add to that total. (GAO Report, January 29, 2009). The DeMint Amendment restores DHS' original mandate to complete the entire 670-mile southwest border fence using only double-layered, reinforced fencing. On July 8, the Senate voted 54-44 to adopt the DeMint Amendment. (Senate Roll Call Vote #220, July 8, 2009).

[La Lydia]

Yes, I think I posted that above. Apparently the President hasn't signed it yet. It is in conference, but the House conference report has been filed, and here is the fence language (apparently they have effectively killed it in committee on environmental grounds)

The Committee retains bill language making no funds available for obligation for fencing or tactical infrastructure for which the Secretary intends to waive environmental or other legislation until 15 days after the intention to invoke such authority is published in the Federal Register. In addition, the Committee continues bill language stating no BSFIT funds may be obligated until the Secretary certifies that DHS has complied with the consultation provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Also, they cut the funding for the virtual fence.