As more details emerge about the omnibus, the Washington Times finds one that has touched a nerve among House Republicans. The newspaper reports that the bill guts the Secure Fence Act, which won congressional approval last year.
Congress last night passed a giant new spending bill that undermines current plans for a U.S.-Mexico border fence, allowing the Homeland Security Department to build a single-tier barrier rather than the two-tier version that has worked in California. …
“The fact that this was buried in a bloated, 3,500-page omnibus speaks volumes about the Democrats’ unserious approach on border security and illegal immigration,” said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. “Gutting the Secure Fence Act will make our borders less secure, but it’s consistent with the pattern of behavior we’ve seen all year from this majority.”
The 2006 Secure Fence Act specifically called for “two layers of reinforced fencing” and listed five specific sections of border where it should be installed. The new spending bill removes the two-tier requirement and the list of locations.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Peter King, called the change “unacceptable.” And Rep. Duncan Hunter said it would be “a significant step backwards.”
Here’s a link to the section of the bill dealing with the Secure Fence Act.
5 responses so far ↓
Omnibus builds bureaucracy instead of border fence « Omnibusting // December 18, 2007 at 10:53 am
[...] December 18, 2007 · No Comments 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 124 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. [...]
Michelle Malkin » House guts border fence // December 18, 2007 at 1:29 pm
[...] 1:20pm Eastern. Omnibusting links the section of the bill containing the [...]
Outrage: Democrats gut Border fence; give millions to lawyers for illegal immigrants | Infidels Are Cool // December 18, 2007 at 3:30 pm
[...] a link from Omnibusting linking to the section of the bill Wash [...]
Congress Guts 2006 Border Bill « Publius // December 18, 2007 at 9:27 pm
[...] read more, and more, and yet [...]
EckerNet.Com » Blog Archive » History Repeats Itself // December 20, 2007 at 2:56 am
[...] As yet another example of this, and what is sure to inspire further opposition to the next attempt at Comprehensive Immigration Reform, is the latest actions of Congress. Buried in a 3500 page omnibus, filled with over 11,000 earmarks, is language that basically guts the entire Secure Fence Act. [...]
You must be logged in to post a comment.