With both parties desperate to look effective on immigration and securing the Mexican border, the Senate will return to work for a few hours Thursday in the middle of summer vacation to approve $600 million for new border security efforts.
According to Politico, the package includes funding for 1,500 new border patrol agents as a well as two flying, unmanned reconnaissance drones and the construction of several fortified law-enforcement bases along the border.
The official act shouldn't take long and will only require a handful of lawmakers in chambers, Politico reports. Both parties have already agreed to pass the bill, authored by Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., by unanimous consent.
Late Tuesday, the House passed an identical $600 million border protection bill on a voice vote, paving the way for the Senate action. “This addresses the urgent need for enhanced security on our Southwest border," Rep. David Price, D-N.C.,
tells the Examiner. "Violence on the Mexican side of the border has intensified because of turf battles [among] transnational criminal organizations competing for drug, alien and weapon trafficking business. We need these new officers trained and ready.”
Senators are also expected to approve a resolution honoring former Sen. Ted Stevens, who was killed in a plane crash in his home state of Alaska earlier this week. After Thursday’s session, the Senate will adjourn until Sept. 13.
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