Senate Floor Speech
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
September 20, 2006 -- Page: S9745

SECURE FENCE ACT OF 2006--MOTION TO PROCEED

MRS. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to again voice my strong support for securing our Nation's borders, which remain porous. We must immediately address this threat to our national security.

I have consistently supported and voted in favor of border security efforts such as the installation of reinforced fencing in strategic areas where high trafficking of narcotics, unlawful border crossings, and other criminal activity exists. I have also supported installing physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors where necessary.

However, I object to the Congress making decisions about the location of border fencing. These decisions should be made by State and local law enforcement officials working with the Department of Homeland Security, not dictated by Congress. The border States have borne a heavy financial burden from illegal immigration; their local officials are on the front lines. They should be part of the solution.

Ours is a nation of laws and we must be a nation of secure borders. I stand resolved to work with my colleagues to enact meaningful legislation in this session of Congress that addresses border security first and enacts comprehensive immigration reform.