Democrats To Border States: Drop Dead

The Senate has rejected three amendments to an appropriations bill that would have increased funding for security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Senate considered three border-security amendments today to H.R. 4899, the $58.8 billion Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. The amendments were introduced by senators from Texas and Arizona.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and 10 co-sponsors offered Senate Amendment 4214, which would have provided for 6,000 National Guard troops to support and secure the U.S.-Mexico border. That amendment was rejected by Democrats and Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio.

Also, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and three co-sponsors offered Senate amendment 4202 to use unspent U.S. stimulus dollars to pay for border fence surveillance and monitoring technologies. That amendment was rejected by Democrats and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Likewise, Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., offered Senate Amendment 4228, which would have appropriated $200 million for a law enforcement initiative to address illegal crossings of the border. That amendment was also rejected by Democrats and Sen. Sanders.

Several illegal immigration advocacy groups had called upon members to oppose the amendments, including League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, and the National Council of La Raza.

The Obama administration announced its decision this week to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S. southern border to counter cross-border drug and weapons trafficking. However, many lawmakers have warned that 1,200 would not be enough.

Former Rep. Tom Tancredo told WND he doesn't believe Obama's decision to send troops is intended to improve the situation.

"I don't think anybody thinks this matters," he said. "Obama certainly doesn't."

He added, "The desire is not to fix the problem. The desire is to have amnesty. All of this is in anticipation of amnesty."

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