INVASION USA
Texas senator warns: 'Don't count on fence'
Lawmaker casts doubt as Congress has 'no credibility' on border issues
Posted: October 11, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
 Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas |
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, chairman of the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship Subcommittee, told WND "we have not yet appropriated nearly enough to complete the job."
Cornyn supports a fence together with a technological solution to the problem of border security.
"As a practical matter," Cornyn said, "in some parts of the border, particularly lower-risk areas, we will need to use this 21st century technology to secure the border."
Cornyn noted the Department of Homeland security recently awarded a contract to Boeing for up to $2.5 billion to pursue high-tech methodologies including sensors, infrared cameras and other devices for border reform. Termed the "SBInet" program, the Boeing contract was part of the Secure Border Initiative, or SBI, program DHS hopes will "transform border control through technology and infrastructure."
The bill signed by President Bush Oct. 4 allocated $1.2 billion to be spent during the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 for Southwest border fencing and other barriers. Even as the bill was being signed into law, a spokesman for Mexican President Vicente Fox said the U.S. Congress is unlikely to appropriate enough funding to ever finish the 700-mile fence.
Cornyn's comments come amid efforts by Republican officials to turn back concerns that President Bush will not sign the Secure Fence Act, which allocates the money approve for the fencing.
In July, Cornyn along with Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., introduced a proposal to obtain $3.7 million in emergency supplemental funds to secure the border. On Aug. 2, Cornyn and Kyl introduced the proposal as an amendment to the Defense appropriations bill. The proposal was promptly ruled out of order and defeated.
Cornyn insisted to WND that the first priority was to secure the border, not to pass a "comprehensive immigration reform" bill such as S.2611, which was sponsored by Sens. Kennedy, D-Mass., and McCain, R-Ariz., and passed by the Senate.
"Any effort to reform our immigration system first requires that we secure our borders and restore respect for our laws," Cornyn said. 'We can do this while we honor property rights and water rights, and while we keep lawful trade going in the border area."
In taking this position, Cornyn told WND the U.S. Congress would have to commit to a long-term effort.
"Securing our border will require both money and time – a multi-year commitment by Congress," he said. "It remains to be seen whether that will occur."
Cornyn expressed doubt whether Congress has the required resolve.
"We have seen over the past 20 years repeated instances of the federal government making promises regarding border enforcement, followed by failure to honor them," he said.
The senator appraised the record of Congress on immigration issues since 1986.
"We have a bad habit of over-promising and under-delivering," he told WND. "And that means there is no credibility when it comes to proposals for border control and immigration reform."
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