Clinton Announces Final Congressional Passage of Measure Requiring GAO Study on Shared Border Management

Press Release

Clinton Announces Final Congressional Passage of Measure Requiring GAO Study on Shared Border Management

Bill Now Goes to the President for Signature

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced final Congressional passage of the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which includes an amendment she sponsored to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide a study on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) use of Shared Border Management (SBM). In announcing the amendment, Senator Clinton underscored the importance of the study to New York's northern border communities.

Having been approved by both chambers of Congress, the bill will now go to the President for signature.

"As efforts move forward to expand the Peace Bridge, we must ensure that Buffalo and the State of New York receive the guidance and resources needed to help reduce the burden they face. This measure will bring long overdue clarity to why the Department of Homeland Security and the Canadian government were unable to come to an agreement on this issue," said Senator Clinton.

Senator Clinton's amendment requires the GAO to study the Department of Homeland Security's use of shared border management to secure the international borders of the United States. The GAO's report shall include any negotiations, plans, or designs conducted DHS regarding the practice of shared border management and the factors required to be in place for shared border management to be successful.

Senator Clinton earlier addressed her concerns regarding the failure of DHS to secure a SBM agreement in a letter to Secretary Chertoff and asked the Secretary to provide reassurance that now that Shared Border Management has failed, the Administration will help local communities move forward to fix the problems at the Buffalo/Niagara Border.

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