WP: With Senate Vote, Congress Passes Border Fence Bill

[kskiska]

Saturday, September 30, 2006; A01

The Senate gave final approval last night to legislation authorizing the construction of 700 miles of double-layered fencing on the U.S.-Mexico border, shelving President Bush's vision of a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in favor of a vast barrier.

The measure was pushed hard by House Republican leaders, who badly wanted to pass a piece of legislation that would make good on their promises to get tough on illegal immigrants, despite warnings from critics that a multibillion-dollar fence would do little to address the underlying economic, social and law enforcement problems, or to prevent others from slipping across the border. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) surprised many advocates of a more comprehensive approach to immigration problems when he took up the House bill last week.

But in Congress's rush to recess last night for the fall political campaigns, the fence bill passed easily, 80 to 19, with 26 Democrats joining 54 Republicans in support. One Republican, Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.); one independent, Sen. James M. Jeffords (Vt.); and 17 Democrats opposed the bill. The president has indicated that he will sign it.

Mexico's foreign affairs secretary, Luis Ernesto Derbez, told reporters in Mexico City yesterday that his country plans to send a letter strongly condemning the measure in an effort to dissuade Bush from signing the bill.

If fully constructed, the fence would span a distance equivalent to the distance between Washington and Jacksonville, Fla.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/29/AR2006092901912.html

[Straight Shooter]

1. We can't afford this, financially or environmentally.

This anti-immigration crap is getting out of hand.

[CrazyForKucinich]

2. When I'm president I'll tear it down

If someone doesn't beat me to it.

[nealmhughes]

3. Is that the one with death rays, or the one with the moat, or the one

that is chainlink?

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard about in my life. Those old farts let an 88 year old man read them the riot act on the Constitution and they go and squander money on this crap?

They are squabbling over Ryan White Funding right now, on the "new epicenter" of the South vs. the original, i.e., NY Metro and California and the changes in formulae and they can't fully fund Alabama AND New York. What a perverse sense of reality these clowns have.

I wonder if NZ needs any academic librarians or even barristas? No, I'd rather stay and fight, call me Pierre ... as in Bezhukov...only to stay as the city burns to fight this evil of neoconservatism and pandering politics with my pen than to face George XVI in person.

[Old and In the Way]

4. 700 Mile Fence? I'll bet Bechtel/KBR grab this one, it'll be a steal at

$100,000 a mile or so. 10% commission to the RNC.

[bklyncowgirl]

11. Yup lots of money to be made there.

Something every congress critter can believe in. Now comes the mad rush to the trough.

[killbotfactory]

5. Why don't they just flush the money down the toilet?

Oh wait, it won't go to their favorite contractors...

Halliburton or one of their subsidiaries, right?

[Turnagain]

10. The border fence contract

has gone to Boeing or so I've heard. Boeing, in turn, has sub-contracted with an Israeli firm to do the actual construction. Makes sense since the Israelis have experience in building border fences. No, can't give a link or site, can't remember where I read/saw/heard it. Maybe someone else can confirm or deny this.

[CookieD]

16. They might. ... Does KBR make toilets? eom

[humbled_opinion]

6. Mr. Bush Tear that Wall Down... I believe I am in the twilight zone. n/t

[OneBlueSky]

7. we're being ruled by idiots . . . idiots . . . idiots . . . idiots. . .n/t

.

[JI7]

8. anyone have a roll call of the votes ?

[JI7]

9. so Clinton and Obama voted for it while Lieberman voted against

the Lieberman vote isn't too surprising as immigration issues is one area he has been good on.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00262

[thecrow]

14. Step right up people, and choose your presidential candidate

from this list:
NAYs ---19
Akaka (D-HI)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Chafee (R-RI)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kerry (D-MA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD

[They Live]

12. Are the workers building the wall

going to be illegals? Or part of the indentured servant...uh... I mean "Guest Worker" program? I still don't understand why they just don't enforce the wage and employment laws in the USA to take away most of the incentive for illegal immigration. Fools. Folks are going to perish by building this wall, by the elements at least.

[oldboy101]

13. No funds were authorized for the fence

My understanding is that this is simply a "feel good" bill passed by the Republicans so they could claim that they have done something about the illegal immigration problem. Without any authorization of funds, no one will actually build such a fence.

They have pulled this trick many times in the past, passing legislation to improve our schools for instance but failing to appropriate any funds to make it a reality. We Democrats really should educate the public about what a sham such legislation is.

In short the Republicans are playing the electorate for suckers. They have no respect for the American people.

[allisonthegreat]

15. Fence or wall?

And will it work? Probably not. More attention should have been paid to this escalating problem a little earlier than now...

[pampango]

18. Walls don't work. Ask the Chinese.

Unless you are willing to back them up with military force, like the East Germans (to keep people in) and the Israelis (to keep people out), walls don't work. I hope that we are not prepared to open fire on immigrants.

[oldboy101]

17. I was wrong about the funding for the fence

I have learned that funding for the fence is included in the appropriation for the Department of Homeland Security. My bad, and I apologize to any whom I may have misled.

[Evergreen Emerald]

19. Senate Outlaws ladders

That's next right? Seriously, with everything on our agenda, this is what they come up with?