Sen. John Cornyn says Obama plan falls short

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Tuesday that President Barack Obama's plan to send 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S./Mexico border does not go far enough.

“While I appreciate the President’s acknowledgment that his Administration has done too little to secure our border, his proposal still comes up short," Cornyn said in a statement. "Temporary fixes are no solution to long-term challenges."

Obama also plans to request $500 million for border protection and law enforcement activities, according to the Associated Press.

Cornyn, though, touted his proposed amendment to a supplemental appropriations bill as a better approach for the border.

“My amendment reflects the real needs of federal, state, and local law enforcement," he said. "With the right equipment, more personnel, and better infrastructure, these agencies can be much more effective in keeping our communities safe. I urge the President to support my amendment, which would demonstrate a real presidential commitment to border security.”

Below are some of the priorities Cornyn mentions in his amendment:

Border Security Equipment and Technology
· Provides $144 million for expanded unmanned aerial vehicle operations, including the purchase of six additional Predator B unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), ground control stations, and funding for UAV pilots and support staff
· Provides $49.4 million for 10 additional helicopters for border enforcement
· Provides $360 million for border surveillance and monitoring equipment, vehicles and mobile technology
 
State and Local Law Enforcement

· Provides $300 million for State and local law enforcement entities, operating within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, to purchase equipment, hire personnel, including investigators and detectives, and cover salaries and expenses associated with border enforcement
 
Southwest Border Taskforces
· Provides $140 million in funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Programs in Southwest border states
· Provides $44.7 million in funding for National Guard Counterdrug Programs in Southwest border states to support drug interdiction and anti-drug activities
 
Border Enforcement Personnel
· Provides Federal agencies (DEA, ATF, ICE and CBP) with over $340 million to hire and support criminal investigators, special agents, intelligence analysts, and other personnel for drug enforcement and illicit firearms trafficking
 
Detention and Removal Activities
· Increases detention capacity an additional 3,300 beds annually over a two-year period at a cost of $151 million
· Provides $125 million to hire 500 additional detention and removal officers
· Provides $89 million to expand repatriation programs that return illegal aliens to their home countries
 
Ports of Entry
· Provides $200 million to hire 500 CBP officers to staff southwest border ports of entry and for infrastructure improvements at high-volume ports of entry

Comments

[Jiving ya]

First he's spending to much money. Now he's not spending enough. Sure wish John and all his Republican't friends would make up their minds.

Protecting our borders is such a liberal thing. Why can't people just arm themselves and take care of their own?

[they can look in the mirror and complain]

Bush failed miserably as has Corny and Perry to do anything significant for the border, so they need to look in the mirror. What junk.