Senate backs $3 billion border security add-on to Defense bill

The Senate voted 95-1 Wednesday to add $3 billion in emergency spending to the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations bill to enhance border security efforts and crack down on illegal immigrants.

The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., includes funding to hire thousands of border security agents, build hundreds of miles of fences and other barriers and buy surveillance equipment such as unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor the border.

"The goal of this amendment is to prove to the public that Congress is very serious about securing our border," Graham said on the floor.

The Senate approved nearly identical language sponsored by Graham and other Republicans during debate on the fiscal 2008 Homeland Security appropriations bill, which President Bush has threatened to veto because of its level of spending.

"I think this helps the Defense bill," Graham said when asked if the additional funding would set the measure up for a veto. "It makes it more vital."

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, cast the dissenting vote on the amendment, arguing in a statement that adding $3 billion in emergency spending is fiscally irresponsible.

"The federal government continues to spend more than it brings in and this amendment continues that practice," said Voinovich, who also voted against Graham's amendment to the Homeland Security bill. "If we decide we absolutely need to spend $3 billion on something -- and I support adequately funding border security -- then we need to either raise more revenue or cut other spending to pay for it."

Also Wednesday, the Senate defeated, 68-28, an amendment sponsored by Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., aimed at ending the Iraq war. The language, similar to an amendment that failed on the fiscal 2008 defense authorization bill, would not have allowed any money in the spending bill to pay for ongoing operations in Iraq, with the exception of a few limited military missions, after June 30.

The annual Defense spending bill does not directly provide money for operations in Iraq, which would be covered by a separate supplemental spending measure. But with the supplemental unlikely to pass Congress until next year, the military may have to transfer fourth-quarter funding in the Defense bill to pay for ongoing operations.

Feingold said that it would be irresponsible to debate the massive defense bill without discussing the Iraq war.

"We have a responsibility to debate and vote on this issue again and again and again," he said. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who has backed the amendment in the past, said it would set the United States on a "responsible and binding path" to ending the war.

Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, has said repeatedly that he wants to keep the bill clean of Iraq policy language to ensure the measure's quick passage by the Senate.