Douglas Alexander: “Will the Chair please advise me when 60 seconds remains. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Georgia and…”

“Will the Chair please advise me when 60 seconds remains. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Georgia and congratulate him on his amendment. The President talked last night about what we need to do to secure our borders. He took an important step forward. He committed to doubling the number of Border Patrol agents during his time as President. As that is ramped up, he said he would ask the National Guard to help us fill the gap. Guard members would help by operating surveillance systems, analyzing intelligence, installing fences and vehicle barriers, building patrol roads, and providing training. As a former commander in chief of the Tennessee National Guard when I was Governor, the proposal sounded to me eminently sensible. The President also talked about using high-technology verification cards, ways that employers could do a better job of making certain the people they hire are legally here. He talked about Federal-State cooperation being improved with State and local law enforcement. All of this will take some time, but we need to do whatever we can in the Senate to ensure that the President's commitment to secure the border succeeds. That is why I joined with Senator Gregg and others last week to add $1.9 billion to the Border Patrol during our debate on the emergency supplemental bill. That money will help replace outdated vehicles that are breaking down and purchase new boats and other equipment. That is why I am cosponsoring the amendment of Senator Isakson today.…”