Democrats Press for Border Funds, Weigh Immigration Bills

National Journal reported that: The thorny issue of immigration reform and border security was thrust back into the spotlight Wednesday, as House Democrats put an emergency spending bill on the fast track for floor action and Senate leaders talked of moving pared down immigration measures. Democrats seemed to be trying to gain the upper hand on Republicans heading into the fall elections by advancing targeted immigration and border security bills that GOP lawmakers will be hard pressed to oppose. But Republicans countered that they support beefed up border security but insisted the spending must be offset and not be tacked onto the nation's debt. The emergency spending bill, introduced by a group of House Democrats, would provide $701 million for increased border security measures along the Mexican border. The funding had been part of the House version of the FY10 supplemental spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it was dropped in the Senate amid Republican objections about spending that was not offset. The funding also was sought by President Obama. Democrats behind the border security supplemental said they were left with no choice but to move a stand-alone bill. It was brought to the House floor late Wednesday for debate under suspension of the rules, with a vote expected today.