Skimping on Border Security

Border security took a hit in the spending bill that was passed last night by the House of Representatives. In that $515 billion spending bill, it pared down the requirements for a border fence that was passed as federal law last year. Story from the Washington Times.

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 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.

House Democrats said they were just adopting the Senate version, which was backed by a bipartisan group of border-state senators and passed the Senate several times this year.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas Republican who has led the charge to change the 2006 law, said she wants to give Homeland Security more flexibility and wants local officials and landowners to be consulted.

"Senator Hutchison believes that Customs and Border Protection can better decide how to utilize limited resources to secure the border than a congressman from Maine," said Matt Mackowiak, Mrs. Hutchison's spokesman. He said double-tier fencing has worked in San Diego, but it might not be the right solution for the entire fence.

But I thought they really cared about border security? Our representatives pay lip service to improving border security, but when the time comes to actually do something they don't live up to the talk. What's the point of passing the secure fence act if you're going to come back the next year and gut its provisions. Other than a few exceptions, our representatives are trying to play a game with border security.

If most of the representatives in Congress were actually serious about border security, they would have done something serious already. But clearly, it's no priority.

(Hat tip: Michelle Malkin)