Senate Approves 'Border Surge' Amendment to Immigration Bill

Would dedicate billions more to American-Mexican border

The Senate on Wednesday passed the so-called border surge proposal that would dedicate tens of billions of dollars to securing the United States-Mexico border by employing more agents, adding more high-tech surveillance equipment and finishing hundreds of miles in fencing.

The 69-29 vote propels the Senate closer to approving the comprehensive immigration reform bill by the end of the week.

The border surge amendment from Republican Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and John Hoeven of North Dakota, clears the path to the 60 votes needed to end a filibuster on the overall bill. It would double the number of border patrol agents along the southern boundary, pour $3 billion into new technology, and complete a 700-mile fence along the border.