While superficially providing more money for a bigger fence on America’s border, the omnibus bill actually makes it tougher to build, by creating 15 bureaucratic hurdles that must be overcome before that money is spent.
Page 12 of the Homeland Security portion specifies 15 detailed requirements before the $650-million for fencing can be spent, including that nothing happens until a plan from Homeland Security is received and approved by both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
Further, Page 122 of the Homeland Security portion requires yet another new restriction created on the ability to fence the border. The requirement is prior consultation with an array of interest groups, including environmental groups and communities concerned about their “quality of life.” And the consultation does not remove the ability of any groups to sue and try to block the fence.
As if this weren’t enough the bill also attempts to gut the Secure Fence Act.
1 response so far ↓
Omnibus Guts Border Fence & Security Package « First State Politics // December 18, 2007 at 2:41 pm
[...] Omnibus Guts Border Fence & Security Package From Omnibusting: [...]
You must be logged in to post a comment.