Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I want to speak on this bill. I thank Senator Gregg, our subcommittee chairman, and Senator Hollings, our ranking…”

“I want to speak on this bill. I thank Senator Gregg, our subcommittee chairman, and Senator Hollings, our ranking member, for help, for cooperation and commitment to the most important issue facing my State, and that is bolstering the front line of our Nation's defense in the war on drugs. The U.S. Border Patrol has been funded in this bill. It has been funded to the extent that we will be able to add 1,000 new Border Patrol agents during fiscal year 1998. This bill provides adequate funding for their training and supervision. Moreover, it reflects the ongoing commitment of Congress to put 5,000 new Border Patrol agents on the line and to regain control of our borders by the year 2002. Mr. President, I have to tell you that this was a hard-fought effort. The Immigration Reform Act passed last year directed the administration to submit a budget request to Congress which included funding for 1,000 new agents. Regrettably, they only requested funding for 500. I and Senator Gramm have had many discussions with the Attorney General and the INS Commissioner. I am convinced of their commitment to secure our borders. I think they really are sincere. But now they must back that up with the requested resources in future years. Over the past several months, I have felt and expressed a sense of hopelessness in our Nation's war on drugs. I feel this hopelessness because no matter where I travel in Texas, I meet people who have lost loved ones to drug violence.”