U.S. Representative Diana DeGette Comments on Republican "Border Security" Sham

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette Comments on Republican "Border Security" Sham

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) released the following statement regarding her vote against the House Republican "Secure Fence Act," H.R. 6061, a bill to build 700 miles of fence along our 2,000-mile border with Mexico.

"Instead of working with the Senate to find agreement on comprehensive immigration legislation, the Republicans would rather score political points. That's why they chose to rehash parts of the mean-spirited enforcement only immigration bill they passed last December. This may stir up their conservative base, but it will do nothing to fix our borders.

"We need enhanced border security and that is why I supported a Democratic proposal that followed the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Our plan would have designated significant new resources to secure our borders. Specifically, it called for 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 2,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and 25,000 new detention beds each year and round the clock surveillance.

"There are only two weeks left before the Republican 'do nothing' Congress adjourns for the year. Republicans need to get serious about fixing our border problems before it's too late. If they don't, voters will hold them responsible in November."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/fencebill.html