SENATOR HUTCHISON CALLS FOR INPUT FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS ON BORDER FENCE

I have long stressed the need to secure the borders of the United States--not only our southwest border with Mexico but also our northern border with Canada and our maritime borders, coastlines, and ports of entry.

I have consistently supported and voted in favor of border security efforts--such as the installation of reinforced fencing in strategic areas where high trafficking of narcotics, unlawful border crossings, and other criminal activity exists. I have also supported installing physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras and sensors where necessary .

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, and it signaled a major initiative to secure the border with Mexico and Canada.

We must address border security so that we can move forward to address comprehensive immigration reform.

I will continue to champion border security measures and strongly support the efforts of my colleagues to strengthen our southwest border--protecting our citizens from threats of terrorism, narcotic trafficking, and other unlawful entries. However, I am concerned that Congress is making decisions about the location of border fencing without the participation of State and local law enforcement officials working with the Department of Homeland Security. The location of fencing should not be dictated by Members of Congress who have never visited our border.

Our border States have borne a heavy financial burden from illegal immigration, and their local officials are on the front lines. Their knowledge and experience should not be ignored. Texas shares approximately one-half of the land border between the United States of America and the Republic of Mexico. Our State and local officials and those in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas should not be excluded from decisions about how to best protect our borders with their varying topography, population, and geography.

Local officials and property owners in my home State of Texas--particularly in the areas of El Paso, Del Rio to Eagle Pass, and Laredo to Brownsville--cited in the Secure Fence Act, under current statutory law, do not have an opportunity to participate in decisions regarding the exact location of fencing and other physical infrastructure near their communities.

To address this issue, I hosted a meeting in my Washington office, on January 17, 2007, with DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, my colleague from Texas, Senator John Cornyn, mayors from the border cities in Texas, and representatives of the private sector. That meeting began a dialogue with our local representatives in Texas and the Federal Government. I look forward to helping ensure that this dialogue continues.

The Hutchison-Bingaman Amendment, No. 1168, cosponsored by Senators Cornyn, Kyl, McCain, Feinstein, and Domenici, addresses these issues and provides local and State officials greater involvement in decisions regarding the location of border fencing.

I urge the adoption of my amendment.

Mr. GRAHAM. Madam President, I urge the adoption of the amendment.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the amendment is agreed to.

The amendment (No. 1168) was agreed to.

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