$600 Million Border Security Bill goes to the President for Signature

Today, the U.S. Senate passed and sent to President Barack Obama a $600 million plan to bolster security at the U.S.-Mexico border, providing 1,500 new Border Patrol, Customs and other agents, communications equipment and unmanned aircraft.

With Congress on its August recess, the measure was passed without opposition today in a special session. The bill was initially passed by the Senate on August 5, but because of a constitutional requirement that revenue measures originate in the House, the bill was sent back to the House, which passed the measure on August 10.

The measure, which now goes to the White House for Obama's signature, will increase border security spending by 10 percent.