GOP reps say money for border security is not enough

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Lawmakers from both parties are praising the $1.2 trillion spending package for the increase in funding for border security.

“I live at the border. I don’t go visit. This is a strong Homeland Security bill,” Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) said. “This is the strongest border security bill that we have and it is fair.”

Cuellar says he is pleased with the bill that includes $61.8 billion to ramp up security at the southern border.

The bill includes money to hire 22,000 border patrol agents, $100 million for border security technology, and increases the number of detention beds to 41,500.

But many Republicans say the bill won’t help.

“This is anything but a national security bill,” Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) said.

“You are voting to speed up the process of redistribution of illegal aliens coming in,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said. “Because that’s what the funding is going to go for.”

Republicans Biggs and Norman both voted against the bill to keep the government funded. They urged the Senate to do the same.

“Cut the lights off and until the Senate accepts a total shutdown of the border, until they accept the total H.R. 2, we don’t come back.” Norman said. “Why fund the government that is working against us? It is total insanity.”

Many who voted against the bill say Congress should act immediately to take up additional border security measures.

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