Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) questioned Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) today on the Senate floor about the lack of triggers and the cost of the Hoeven-Corker Border Security Amendment. The full discussion can be seen here:
Sen. Cornyn: My amendment was disparaged by the distinguished senior senator from Arizona and the distinguished senior senator from New York as being a budget buster for 5000 border patrol. I was told we dont need more boots we need technology.
Now I find to my shock and amazement the distinguished senior senator from Arizona saying we need 20000 more border patrol. How much is it going to cost? Thats the question.
Sen. Hoeven: If I may if I may respond to that again that makes my point to the senator from Texas I want to thank him for his work. Thats a great example of how we built on the foundation you laid. Thats a great example. You asked for what was it 5000 border patrol agents and we got 20000. So this is a great example and it is all paid for because remember now this is important
Sen. Cornyn: And I would repeat my question. How much is it going to cost?
Sen. Hoeven: I will absolutely go to that. Thats where Im going right now. Remember in the CBO score in the first ten years $197 billion. So we use about $30 billion to darned sure make that border is secure. But overall this bill with this amendment creates border security and more than pays for itself. And heres the other point. Remember in that CBO score it showed $197 billion in terms of revenue creation. So we use $30 billion of that to add the border agents and secure the border. But heres the other thing weve got to look at in that CBO score. It said
with the underlying bill without our amendment with the underlying bill we would have seven million more illegal immigrants in this country in ten years. Without the bill wed have ten million more.
So what does that say? It didnt get the job done on border security and thats exactly why were adding this amendment and it will get the job done.
Sen. Cornyn: Let me express my appreciation to the distinguished senators for their answer to the question thank you.
Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committees Immigration Refugees and Border Security subcommittee.
