Weeks after failing to agree on broad immigration reform, the Senate on Thursday passed a Republican-crafted provision aimed at beefing up border security.
Senators voted 89-1 to add $3 billion to a bill that sets spending for homeland security next year.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said the Senate has not abandoned its effort to overhaul immigration policy, but will take an incremental approach rather than try to pass a comprehensive bill.
“We tried the big bang theory and that didn’t work,” Cornyn said, referring to the immigration bill the Senate abandoned in June.
“I think you are going to see it in pieces.”
The Senate was expected to pass the $37.6 billion Homeland Security bill on Thursday night.
President Bush has threatened to veto the bill because it exceeds his funding request. The money added for border security pushes the cost even higher, but it may prompt Bush to change his mind and sign the bill. The $3 billion amendment mirrors language in the failed Senate immigration bill, which Bush backed.
Even if Bush stands firm, the Senate may be able to muster the 67 votes needed to override his veto now that Republicans have won additional border security money.
The amendment would provide money to hire hundreds of federal agents and buy equipment needed to tighten border security, including radar, camera towers and unmanned aerial vehicles.
It would also allocate money for an additional 45,000 beds in detention facilities in an effort to stop the “catch and release” of immigrants caught crossing into the United States illegally.
The amendment also includes language to require mandatory detention of illegal immigrants who overstay their visas by 60 days and to strengthen electronic employment verification programs.
The Senate will have to work out differences with the House version of the Homeland Security spending bill, which does not include the border security provisions and costs $177 billion less.
