Cord Byrd: “I commend him for producing a balanced bill. Given the constraints under which we are being forced to operate, he has…”

“I commend him for producing a balanced bill. Given the constraints under which we are being forced to operate, he has done his best. I have no criticism of him whatsoever, but I would argue that $2 billion is not that large for the very short list of programs in this amendment that address vulnerabilities that are well known. Indeed, most of these programs have been authorized by the Congress and the President and this amendment tries to provide the authorized funding. Regarding the Deepwater Program, the Coast Guard authorization bill Public Law 108-293 authorizes $1.1 billion for the Coast Guard's Deepwater Acquisition Program. My amendment provides an additional $324 million to meet the authorization level for this critical activity. It was the USA PATRIOT Act, Public Law 107-56, which authorized a tripling of the number of border patrol agents and legacy immigration and Customs agents on the northern border. That law was passed nearly 3 years ago and this administration has failed to provide the funds to meet the authorization. My amendment adds $50 million so we can get nearly one-third of the way toward meeting the requirements of the law.”