Sens. Jeff Flake, R-Ari., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the Republican members of Senate Judiciary Committee that helped draft the Schumer-Rubio immigration bill, again voted with committee Democrats today to defeat another conservative amendment that would have strengthened United States border security before illegal immigrants are given legal status.

Sen. Jeff Sessions’, R-Ala., amendment would have required the implementation of a biometric entry and exit system at all ports of entry before any currently illegal immigrant could be granted legal permanent resident status. Nine years ago the 9/11 Commission Report recommended such a system and in 2004 Congress passed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, which directed the DHS to “accelerate the full implementation of an automated biometric entry and exit data system.”