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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2006
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Pelosi: ‘The Republican Record on Border Security Is a Catastrophic Failure’

Washington, D.C.– House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in advance of the President’s anticipated signing of the border fence bill this morning:

“I visited the southern border in March with Congressman Silvestre Reyes, who had a distinguished career of leadership in the Border Patrol.   I was able to see firsthand the Republicans’ record of failure on border security.

“This morning, the President plans to sign legislation authorizing a 700-mile border fence that his own Administration does not plan to build and for which the Republican Congress has not provided construction money.     

“This fence that will not actually be built is a perfect symbol of the Republicans’ unwillingness to make controlling our borders a priority.  On 10 occasions over the past five years, House Republicans defeated Democratic efforts to improve border security.  Had Republicans not repeatedly rejected these efforts, there would be 6,600 more Border Patrol agents and 2,700 more immigration agents on the job today with 14,000 more detention beds available to assist in making our borders secure.

“The President will try to use the signing of the fence bill to demonstrate a commitment to border security, but his record in enforcing our immigration laws is abysmal.  Under President Clinton, the federal government initiated fines for worksite immigration violations against 417 companies in 1999.  In 2004, the Bush Administration issued fine notices to only three companies.

“In addition, apprehension of undocumented individuals at the border has dropped by 31 percent under President Bush compared to President Clinton’s record.

“By any measure, the Republican record on border security is a catastrophic failure.  Five years after the 9/11 attacks, and more than two years after the independent 9/11 Commission urged a greater focus on border protection, the American people deserve better.  Democrats are offering a New Direction with strong border security, effective law enforcement, bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform, and the full implementation of the 9/11 Commission recommendations.”

*  *  *

Republicans do not plan on building the fence.  As the Washington Post (10/6/06) reported, “No sooner did Congress authorize construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border than lawmakers rushed to approve separate legislation that ensures it will never be built, at least not as advertised.”  The article points out that, at the Bush Administration’s insistence, the separate Homeland Security funding bill stipulated that the bill’s $1.2 billion for securing the border would be used for a blend of vehicle barriers, fencing, lighting and such technology as ground-based radar, cameras and sensors – not for the 700-mile fence.



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