Cord Byrd: “Again I compliment the distinguished Senator from California. Her heart is in the right place. She is trying to do the…”

“Again I compliment the distinguished Senator from California. Her heart is in the right place. She is trying to do the right thing, and I admire her for all of those things. Money is a problem, even for the best of things. Recognizing the need for improved border security, I included nearly $1.1 billion for border security in my $15 billion homeland defense amendment last November. Within that total, I included over $725 million that the President did not request for the Immigration and Naturalization Service. That amendment to the Defense bill was defeated in the Senate when we could not get the 60 votes required to meet a 60-vote point of order. I tried again on the Defense supplemental appropriations bill that the Senate considered in December. I included $335 million above the President's request for the INS for improvements in border security, particularly along the northern border. Once again, the funding was rejected when a 60-vote point of order was raised and we could not get the 60 votes. Finally, in the conference on the Defense supplemental appropriations bill, we provided $150 million more than the President's request. Now, as the border security bill pending before us proves, there continues to be a need for significant infusion of resources to staff, to train and to equip the Immigration and Naturalization Service to do its job on our Nation's borders.”