The Washington Times
The Senate yesterday voted to build at least 370 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border and agreed -- after weeks of strained negotiations -- to bar convicted felons from gaining citizenship.
"We are sending a signal that we are serious about stopping the flow of illegal immigrants over the border," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Alabama Republican who wrote the fencing amendment. "The construction of more fencing and vehicle barriers will greatly enhance border enforcement, and it will pay for itself many, many times over."
But Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., Wisconsin Republican and author of a much-tougher House bill that calls for almost twice as much fencing, was less optimistic yesterday.
Responding to President Bush's prime-time speech this week on his plans for immigration reform, Mr. Sensenbrenner said Mr. Bush had "basically turned his back" on tough border-security legislation after encouraging the House to pass it last year.
"Regardless of what the president says, what he is proposing is amnesty," Mr. Sensenbrenner said yesterday.
Posted by Richard at May 18, 2006