Hastert Comments on Passage of the Homeland Security Spending Bill: Creates Funding for the Building of New Border Fence

To: National Desk

Contact: Ron Bonjean or Lisa C. Miller, 202-225-2800;
both of the Office of House Speaker Dennis Hastert

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Speaker of the
House J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) today issued the
following statement regarding passage of the
Conference Report for H.R. 5441, the Department of
Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year
2007. The bill passed 412-6.

"Since the birth of our nation, the security of our
borders has remained a vital matter to the safety of
our citizens and our freedom. America's strength has
grown due to our ability to protect our homeland from
foreign invaders. Today the ideals of protecting our
country remain as true as ever. House Republicans
understand this and have addressed this through the
passage today of the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill.

"The bill includes $1.2 billion to build a security
fence along part of the Southwest border and is a
strong step to protect the American people. It will
also allocate $5.2 billion for the Secure Border
Initiative and will provide the Department of Homeland
Security with the tools and the manpower they need to
secure our borders.

"The bill will continue to fund our first responders
throughout this nation, including grants to higher
threat areas. Since Sept. 11, 2001, this Republican
Congress has answered the call by providing $37.6
billion to first responders. From terrorist prevention
to airport security to law enforcement, we in Congress
are making sure this nation is fully prepared. Like
our forefathers, the House Republicans continue to
answer the call to protect our borders and keep our
citizens safe."

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