FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: ‘Republican Record on Border Security Is an Unmitigated Failure’

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to news accounts that President Bush’s deployment of National Guard troops to the border is far behind schedule and that troop levels will not be fulfilled:

“The primary obligation of elected officials is to protect the American people and to protect our borders.

“Reports that the Bush Administration cannot muster even half of the National Guard troops scheduled by the end of this month for deployment at the border demonstrate yet again that the Republican record on border security is an unmitigated failure.  It is unacceptable that nearly five years since 9/11 our nation’s borders remain in a perilous state of insecurity.

“Rather than addressing their failure on border security, House Republicans are holding field hearings beginning next week and trying to campaign on an issue on which they do not have a single accomplishment.

“These developments make it even more apparent that these planned hearings are a farce.  They will only serve to underscore the fact that we have seen a failed response from the Bush Administration and the Republican Congress in addressing border security and illegal immigration.

“Democrats will give voice to the concerns of the American people, who are demanding a New Direction, instead of the Republican record of failure on border security, failure on comprehensive immigration reform, and failure to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations with D’s and F’s.

“It is long past time that the President and the Republican Congress fulfill their obligation to protect the American people.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi