HAL ROGERS. for his work on this legislation. September 29. 2006 CONGRI I appreciate the fact that this bill includes important provisions that consolidate the Noble Training Center with the Center for Domestic Preparedness. establish a Homeland Security Education Program. and ensure financial accountability of the Secure Border Initiative. which is similar to a provision of my bill--H.R. 6162that the House passed yesterday. In addition. this bill includes funding to add 1.500 new Border Patrol agents. In 2004. Congress authorized 2.000 new agents be added each year. To date. the Border Patrol has added fewer than 2.000 new agents. In May. the President announced that the Border Patrol will increase its ranks by 6.000 new agents by FY 2009. At the current pace. we will not meet this goal. I look forward to working with Members of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure that the Border Patrol will be able to make the Presidents goal a reality. While I support the overall Conference Report. I am deeply concerned with one provision included by the other body.
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