Senator questions border security bill as debate begins

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd Friday defended his commitment to protecting the United States against terrorist threats and chided congressional Republicans for opposing homeland security funding measures that he spearheaded.

At an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Byrd said he is not trying to stall a proposal to improve U.S. border security, but rather to make sure it was properly debated.

"I understand that additional resources are required to secure borders," Byrd said. But when a motion was raised to "take up and to pass this subcommittee's bill, I was forced to object."

Byrd argued he has appropriated funds for border security projects, but that Republican senators and the White House defeated those proposals, and so delayed improvements.

"If we forgo a national debate about our border defenses in order to pass legislation through a fleeting window of opportunity ... as I was importuned to do last December, we risk failing to explain and examine important details that could improve the legislation," Byrd said.

Senate debate on that measure began today, but no votes are scheduled until next week.

At the subcommittee hearing, Byrd cited the lack of dependable funding estimates for the measure, which would place new mandates on tracking foreign students who enter the United States and would bolster technology and personnel at U.S. borders.

About $1.2 billion would be required this year for the measure, according to testimony. President Bush has allocated $10.6 billion for border security in his fiscal 2003 budget request.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., noted that additional money could be allocated from the terrorist-response funds approved days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. She also suggested that additional funding for the border security measure could be paid out of a Defense Department contingency fund.