| HOME | COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS | BILL STATUS | APPROPRIATIONS FACTS | CONTACT US |
April 6, 2006
CONTACT: Kirstin Brost
(202) 225-3481
            |
Democrats Have Tried to Increase Funding for Border Security, Republicans Objected
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee held a hearing on the Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Border Initiative.
The initiative is the Administration’s plan to secure America’s borders and reduce illegal immigration.
They have their work cut out for them.
While funding has increased, it has not been sufficient to improve the situation. Even with widespread acknowledgement of the urgency and the enormity of the problem, Congress still has not fully funded the border security provisions of the Patriot Act and the Intelligence Reform Act. Republicans have repeatedly defeated Democratic attempts to increase border security funding.
| The Bill: | 2002 Emergency Supplemental |
| Democrats: | Offered an amendment to increase funding for immigration and border security by $223 million. |
| Republicans: | Defeated the amendment on a party line vote during consideration by the Committee. Voted against allowing the amendment to be considered on the House floor. |
| The Bill: | 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill |
| Democrats: | Offered an amendment to increase funding for border security by $300 million. |
| Republicans: | Defeated the amendment on a party line vote during Committee consideration. Voted three times on the House floor to prevent consideration of the amendment. |
| Democrats: | Tried again, this time with an amendment in the conference committee to increase border security by $125 million. |
| Republicans: | Defeated the amendment on a party line vote. |
| The Bill: | 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill |
| Democrats: | Democrats offered an amendment to increase funding for border security by $750 million to meet the Patriot Act’s staffing requirements, better monitor our borders, and deploy radiation portal monitors where we need them. |
| Republicans: | Voted against the amendment during consideration by the Committee. Voted against allowing its consideration on the House floor. |
| Democrats: | Tried again at conference, offering an amendment to increase funding for border patrol and technology by $400 million. |
| Republicans: | Voted against the amendment on a party line vote. |
| The Bill: | 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill |
| Democrats: | Offered an amendment on the floor to add $400 million for border security. |
| Republicans: | Voted against allowing its consideration on the floor. |
| Democrats: | Offered an amendment during the conference to improve border air surveillance and the US entry/exit program by $100 million. |
| Republicans: | Defeated the amendment on a party line vote. |
# # #