Border fence cash OK'd

370 miles would be constructed in 2008
By Louie Gilot / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 12/19/2007 12:00:00 AM MST
A huge $516 billion spending bill that Congress is expected to pass this week provides at least $1.6 billion for construction of a border fence and border security equipment.

It also eases mandates on where the fence should be built, how it should look and how much to build, said U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas.

It requires the Department of Homeland Security to complete 370 miles, "or other mileage" of fencing as the Homeland Security secretary determines is needed, by the end of 2008. However, it leaves the location of the fence up to the secretary.

The bill passed the U.S. House Monday. The Senate debated it Tuesday and was expected to vote on it today.

The bill also says the Department of Homeland Security has to consult state and local governments and local landowners before committing money to build the fence.

The pending bill would tweak the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which required border fencing along 700 miles of U.S.-Mexico border, including a stretch from five miles west of Columbus, N.M., to 10 miles east of El Paso. There are no plans to build the El Paso part of the fence next year, but the federal government is moving forward with construction plans in the Rio Grande Valley.