[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7468-7469]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            BORDER SECURITY

  Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I feel very strongly that we must 
increase our border security. The resources of our National Guard, law 
enforcement, and Customs and Border Patrol agents are stretched way too 
thin and they need our help, especially along the northern border. 
Their ability to successfully carry out their daily duties is of 
critical importance to the safety of all Americans.
  We must protect our borders better and work to increase the 
apprehension of illegal aliens crossing into the United States.
  The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act we passed in 
2004 authorized the hiring of 2,000 new Border Patrol agents. Yet the 
President's budget only proposed 210 new agents--about 10 percent of 
what is authorized.
  The Border Patrol has been dangerously underfunded. That is why I 
cosponsored Senator Byrd's Border Patrol amendment, which passed 
yesterday, and why I supported Senator Ensign's amendment today.
  I recognize we are fighting the war on terrorism overseas, but we 
need more agents, investigators, detention, and deportation officers at 
home.
  Additional funding will ensure that more illegal aliens will be 
detained and our borders will be tightened against all threats, 
especially terrorism. The best way to prevent terrorism in the United 
States is to prevent terrorists from entering the United States.
  In my State of Montana, we deal with the vast northern border and the 
terrain is not easy to patrol. As you can imagine, as the southern 
border is tightened, our northern border, which used to be America's 
back door, is quickly becoming the front door. We need more agents; it 
is that simple. That border is long. Agents can only cover so much 
territory. The agents need training and facilities.
  In addition to personnel and training, we must also employ the latest 
technologies. The Border Patrol conducted successful tests using 
unmanned aerial vehicles--around here known as UAVs--along the 
southwest border in Arizona for surveillance and detection of 
individuals attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. Unfortunately, 
those operations were ceased at the end of January of this year. 
Thankfully, the funds provided in Senator Byrd's amendment will allow 
for the immediate resumption of these surveillance and detection 
operations. UAVs are a safe alternative to placing civilians in harm's 
way.
  It is up to all of us in Congress--not just today, but in future days 
and weeks and months--to make sure the

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Border Patrol gets the help it needs. We must deliver the funds our 
border security personnel deserve to continue their work of 
apprehending illegal aliens, fighting the war on terrorism, and keeping 
the homefront safe.
  I might add, it also applies to methamphetamines. There is a lot of 
that coming into our country across our borders. It is a huge problem. 
I daresay virtually every State in the Nation has a significant 
methamphetamine problem, and too much is being used by citizens in 
States. A lot of it is manufactured locally, but a lot is also 
imported. So more Border Patrol agents will help us fight not only 
terrorism, but the scourge of meth-
amphetamines.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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