The House Homeland Security Committee is approving a border security bill. The Border Security for America Act, proposed by Republican Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas, passed along party lines, 18 to 12.
The bill, which includes ten-billion dollars for a border wall, now heads to the House floor for a vote. It also calls for additional agents for agencies under the Customs and Border Protection umbrella, and for the federal government to reimburse states up to 35-million dollars for use of National Guard assets to reinforce border security. Democrats are criticizing the bill as a stunt to appease President Trump, on his campaign promise to build a border wall.
The bill is expected to make it through the House, but it's unlikely to pass the Senate, where it needs a 60 vote majority.