Sestak Campaign Calls Curt Weldon Vote for Unfunded Fence Transparent Attempt to Hide Years of Failure on Immigration

Sestak Campaign Calls Curt Weldon Vote for Unfunded Fence Transparent Attempt to Hide Years of Failure on Immigration

Sestak for Congress
Press Release
September 15, 2006

Media, PA - In another transparent attempt to hide years of failure on enforcing illegal immigration, this Thursday, Curt Weldon and his colleagues in Washington passed a bill in the House calling for construction of an unfunded, double-layered 700 mile fence along the U.S. border with Mexico. The bill passed Thursday does not even pay for the fence. According to the Department of Homeland Security on costs per mile of a double-layered fence, the fence would cost $7 billion and would now have to be paid for in a later spending bill.

"As the son of an immigrant, I believe the richness of our country is based on our immigrant heritage and while we need to respect that heritage, we also have a responsibility to secure our border," noted Joe Sestak. "That's why I support smart measures learned from my military experience, such as unmanned vehicles and motion detectors, to secure our borders both from illegal immigration as well as drug smugglers and terrorists. Unmanned aerial vehicles fly for 24 hours and have the ability to identify people below on the ground and send resources to intercept them."

"Curt Weldon has had 20 years to secure our borders and enforce our laws and he has failed. Curt Weldon's latest push for an unfunded fence is a transparent attempt to cover up his years of failure on a sound immigration policy," added Ryan Rudominer, Communications Director for Joe Sestak. "When Curt Weldon was in his second term in 1990, there were approximately 3.5 million illegal immigrants in the United States; in 2006, approximately 12 million illegal immigrants are here. Once again, Curt Weldon is rushing to try to cover up his failed record on a volatile issue less than two months before Election Day. The fact is this district deserves a member of Congress who can get things done, regardless of the political calendar or a tough election."

On June 19, 2006, the Washington Post reported that the number of employers prosecuted for illegally employing immigrants dropped from 182 in 1999 to four in 2003. Also, in 1999, the United States initiated fines against 417 companies and fined just three in 2004. Curt Weldon has voted numerous times against securing our borders by failing to fund border patrol agents and by failing to prosecute, and fine employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Last year alone, Curt Weldon voted against billions in funding for border security, twice against cracking down on employers who hire illegal immigrants and against the recommendations of the widely respected, bipartisan 9/11 Commission. It's time for a new direction on border security.

Curt Weldon Voted Against $2.1 Billion More in Border Security Funding. In May, Curt Weldon voted against an effort to secure more funding for the Homeland Security appropriations bill. One of the amendments would have provided $3.5 billion to improve homeland security, including $2.1 billion for enhanced border security, $600 million for enhanced port security, $600 million for equipping and training first responders and increasing disaster preparedness, and $200 million for expanding explosive detection systems at airports. [HR 5441, Vote #210, 5/25/2006]

Curt Weldon Voted Against Fulfilling 9/11 Commission Recommendations On Border Security & Immigration. In 2005, the Curt Weldon voted against an alternative proposal to improve border security and immigration enforcement by fulfilling the 9/11 Commission's border security recommendations. The bipartisan 9/11 Commission issued its final report card that highlighted the many failures of the Republican Congress and Bush administration in implementing the commission's recommendations. The alternative proposal would have hired more border agents, ended the "catch and release" practice by authorizing 100,000 additional detention beds and incorporated state-of-the art surveillance technology, including cameras, sensors, radar, satellites, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in order to ensure 100 percent border coverage. [HR 4437, Vote #660, 12/16/2005]

Curt Weldon Voted Against $284 Million Boost To Plug Gaping Holes In Nation's Borders. Curt Weldon voted against adding $284 million to an emergency spending bill for securing the nation's borders. The 9/11 Commission highlighted that the United States lacked a true border security system, and that illegal entry across our borders was far too easy. The added funding would have hired 550 additional border patrol agents and 200 additional immigration investigators. Finally, the proposal would have provided funding for unmanned border aerial vehicles, which have been used successfully in a test in Arizona to assist in surveillance. The measure failed, 201-225. [HR 1268, Vote #160, 5/5/2005; Failed 201-225; R 2-225; D 198-0; I 1-0]

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