[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 24 (Friday, February 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S710-S711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1511. Mr. TUBERVILLE submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1388 submitted by Mrs. Murray (for herself and 
Mr. Schumer) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. ERADICATION OF CARRIZO CANE AND SALT CEDAR.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination 
     with the heads of relevant Federal, State, and local 
     agencies, shall hire contractors to begin eradicating the 
     carrizo cane plant and any salt cedar along the Rio Grande 
     River that impedes border security operations. Such 
     eradication shall be completed--
       (1) by not later than September 30, 2027, except for 
     required maintenance; and
       (2) in the most expeditious and cost-effective manner 
     possible to maintain clear fields of view.

[[Page S711]]

       (b) Application.--The waiver authority under subsection (c) 
     of section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and 
     Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1103 note), as 
     amended by section 103 of this division, shall apply to 
     activities carried out pursuant to subsection (a).
       (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategic plan to 
     eradicate all carrizo cane plant and salt cedar along the Rio 
     Grande River that impedes border security operations by not 
     later than September 30, 2027.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
     through 2028 to the Secretary to carry out this subsection.
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