House OKs border security measure

The House late Wednesday approved an emergency supplemental spending bill providing $701 million for increased border security in Southwestern states.

The bill was originally to be voted on Thursday but Republicans agreed by voice vote to pass it, apparently wanting to avoid a roll call vote. The bill's fate in the Senate is uncertain, however.

The funding had been part of the House version of the fiscal 2010 supplemental spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it was dropped in the Senate amid Republican objections about spending that was not offset. The funding also was sought by President Obama.

When asked if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., plans to bring it to the floor before recess, Reid's spokesman questioned whether Republicans would block it.

A spokeswoman for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he supports more funding for border security but believes it must be paid for. McCain and other GOP senators tried unsuccessfully to attach more than $3 billion in border security funding to the war supplemental, which would have been paid for by using unspent stimulus funds.

At a news conference Wednesday, House Democrats implored Republican senators, especially those from Southwest border states, to support their stand-alone supplemental.

"We cannot allow Senate gridlock to jeopardize our ability to keep our borders secure," added Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-Texas.

Price and Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, said Congress ultimately needs to pass a comprehensive immigration bill to help the government secure the nation's borders.

But Reid indicated Tuesday that he is considering advancing smaller immigration measures, such as the DREAM Act, which would give children in the country illegally a chance to become citizens, and AgJobs, which would overhaul the work-visa system for farm workers.

"We're going to continue working on immigration," Reid said. "And if we find a way of doing the big bill, we'll do that. If not, we'll have to take a real strong look at the DREAM Act."