Senate approves border security bill

The Senate late Thursday voted 97-0 to approve a House-passed border security bill, after accepting four amendments offered by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va.

Byrd's proposals, which were designed to strengthen the bill's provisions and impose a more realistic time frame for aspects of its implementation, were accepted either by voice vote or by a unanimous recorded vote.

The Senate also approved by voice vote a manager's amendment offered by bill sponsor, Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Byrd had held up progress on the border security bill since late last year.

Working with Kennedy and other bill sponsors--including Immigration Subcommittee ranking member Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.--Byrd helped craft a unanimous consent agreement on the bill late Wednesday, which cleared the way for floor action.

Byrd declined to offer the most contentious of his suggested amendments, including a proposal to ban the transport of certain Chinese goods across U.S. borders.

But he also urged that the bipartisan spirit that punctuated Thursday's votes remain in effect when it comes time to fund the border security measure.

The House now has the option of approving the Senate-passed version, or going to conference on the measure.