Jeff Bingaman: “I speak on behalf of an amendment being offered by Senator Byrd which would enhance funding for border security…”

“I speak on behalf of an amendment being offered by Senator Byrd which would enhance funding for border security infrastructure. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this important legislation, and I thank the Senator from West Virginia for his hard work on this important bill. The amendment would provide an additional $350 million for critical border security needs. The amendment would allocate $105 million for customs and border protection to purchase new Border Patrol replacement helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, and additional unmanned aerial vehicles. And $25 million is added to the bill to purchase approximately 540 additional replacement vehicles for the Border Patrol. The amendment would also provide an additional $90 million for tactical infrastructure. This funding can be used to construct vehicle barrier, fencing, and facility upgrades. This funding will be of great assistance to the state of New Mexico, where such upgrades are needed to secure our border. The underlying bill allocates about $57 million for tactical infrastructure in Arizona and about $30 million for San Diego. However, the El Paso Sector, which includes the entire State of New Mexico, is only provided about $7.5 million. The additional $90 million under this amendment will help ensure that New Mexico receives the resources that it needs. The amendment would also prove $30 million for ICE to purchase 800 vehicles, including buses and vans, used to transport undocumented immigrants.…”