I thank Senator GREGG. our subcommittee chairman. and Senator HOLLINGS. our ranking member. for help. for cooperation and commitment to the most important issue facing my State. and that is bolstering the front line of our Nations defense in the war on drugs. The U.S. Border Patrol has been funded in this bill. It has been funded to the extent that we will be able to add 1.000 new Border Patrol agents during fiscal year 1998. This bill provides adequate funding for their training and supervision. Moreover. it reflects the ongoing commitment of Congress to put 5.000 new Border Patrol agents on the line and to regain control of our borders by the year 2002. Mr. President. I have to tell you that this was a hardfought effort. The Immigration Reform Act passed last year directed the administration to submit a budget request to Congress which included funding for 1.000 new agents. Regrettably. they only requested funding for 500. I and Senator GRAMM have had many discussions with the Attorney General and the INS Commissioner.
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Border Patrol Immigration