Speech #1090171374

Speaker. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6061. the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill will help secure the border and stem the unrelenting flow of illegal aliens into this country by authorizing 700 miles of twolayered reinforced fencing. mandating the Department of Homeland Security to achieve and maintain operational control over the entire border through various methods such as ground sensors. cameras and surveillance technology. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide necessary authority to Border Patrol agents to disable fleeing vehicles. similar to the authority granted to the U.S. Coast Guard. The provisions in this bill will address our countrys vulnerability and strengthen operational controls along our borders. Border fences have a proven success rate in drastically reducing the number of illegal aliens entering our country illegally. When enacted. this bill will dramatically reduce illegal immigration and make us safer. I have long been committed to stopping the flow of illegal immigration and securing our porous borders. My constituents have made it clear to me they want our borders secure. our laws enforced and the flow of illegal immigration stopped immediately. The recent 22 immigration field hearings held across the country during the month of August yielded the same mandate from the American people. secure the borders now. The amnesty provisions contained in the Senatepassed immigration reform measure earlier this year would encourage future illegal immigration and reward those who have violated Americas laws with a quick and easy path to citizenship. There is more to be done in dealing with illegal immigration. but securing the borders must be the first step. America cannot afford to wait any longer and I will continue to push to secure our borders now.