The Washington Times
Concern by U.S. intelligence officials that al Qaeda operatives have targeted the U.S.-Mexico border as a route into the United States has fueled criticism of President Bush's proposal to hire 210 new Border Patrol agents instead of the 2,000 proposed in the intelligence overhaul bill he signed in December.
Both Democrats and Republicans have challenged the president's 2006 fiscal budget request, including Sen. Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who said it "ignores the stark reality of the resources needed to secure the homeland."
Posted by Suzanne at March 14, 2005