Border Security Supplemental Passes House

UPDATE: Price’s bill was passed by the House on a voice vote.

Rep. David Price (D-N.C.) introduced a $600 million measure this morning that would send 1,700 more Customs and Border Patrol agents and officers to the U.S./Mexico border.

Price’s legislation is an exact copy of a bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that was passed by the Senate late last week. The cost of the bill is offset by an increase on visa application fees paid by companies that employ 50 or more non-immigrant, skilled foreign employees.

House Republicans, however, are objecting to the bill, saying that it won’t go into effect this year and will not solve the problem of illegal immigration or violence near the southwest border. Republicans are also concerned that the bill’s passage would give Democrats a powerful bargaining chip to use in their quest for comprehensive immigration reform.

The House passed an original version of the bill totaling $701 million in late July. The Senate passed its slimmer version last Thursday. However, due to rules which state that revenue-raising legislation must originate in the House, the Senate will have to pass the latest House version when it reconvenes in September.

New UN Report Shows Afghan Civilian Death Toll Up

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has just released its mid-year report showing that the number of civilian casualties in the war-torn nation is on the rise. Nearly 1,300 civilians were killed in the first half of 2010, according to the report. Reuters has more on the story…

Reactions To Defense Cuts

President Barack Obama

“Today, Secretary Gates advanced our effort to invest in the defense capabilities that we need in the 21^st century, while being responsible and accountable in spending taxpayer dollars.”

“I have long said that we need to change the way that Washington works so that it works better for the American people. That’s why we undertook the Accountable Government Initiative — to make government more open and responsive to the American public, and to cut waste and inefficiencies that squander the people’s hard-earned money. This effort is particularly important when it comes to our national defense, since waste and inefficiency there detracts from our efforts to focus resources on serving our men and women in uniform, and to invest in the future capabilities we need.”

“Today’s announcement by Secretary Gates is another step forward in the reform efforts he has undertaken to reduce excess overhead costs, cut waste, and reform the way the Pentagon does business. The funds saved will help us sustain the current force structure and make needed investments in modernization in a fiscally responsible way. Change is never easy, and I applaud Secretary Gates and his team for undertaking this critical effort to support our men and women in uniform and strengthen our national security. These reforms will ensure that our nation is safer, stronger, and more fiscally responsible.”

 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)

“In meeting our solemn obligation to the security of all Americans, we must also uphold our commitment to future generations by pursuing a path of fiscal discipline whenever possible.”

“I commend Secretary Gates for taking steps toward greater fiscal restraint in the Defense Department.  The House looks forward to reviewing all of his proposals and conducting appropriate oversight.”

House Armed Service Chair Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.)

“Although I am still reviewing the specific details of this announcement, Secretary Gates has proposed a number of steps that appear to efficiently find savings within the defense budget without taking away resources from our warfighters. Supporting the men and women in uniform who protect our nation is a top priority, and I support any responsible shift of funds from overhead costs in order to strengthen the efforts of our brave troops.

“There are many functions within the Department that are critical to our nation’s defense, and we need to carefully analyze Secretary Gates’ new plan to ensure that no essential programs fall through the cracks. I look forward to holding a hearing on this proposal when Congress returns from the August recess.”

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen

“I fully support the Department-wide initiatives Secretary Gates has announced today. In fact, having been intimately involved in their development from the very start, I welcome them as real opportunities to improve not only our efficiency as an institution, but also our combat readiness.”

“In a time of two wars and great sacrifice, when our troops and their families continue to give and to serve, we cannot afford such luxury. Everything we do — everything we buy — must make us stronger. If it does not, then it does not belong. We cannot escape our responsibility as good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars.”

White House Officials Meet With BP Execs

The White House released the following statement regarding a meeting that took place earlier today between senior Obama administration officials and executives from BP:

“Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner, White House Counsel Robert Bauer, and National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, joined by other senior administration officials, met with BP executives Bob Dudley and Lamar McKay this afternoon to discuss a range of issues regarding the ongoing clean up and recovery efforts in the Gulf. They impressed upon BP the importance of living up to their commitment to long term recovery, and underscored that the Administration will remain vigilant in ensuring that promise is met. Among a variety of other issues, the administration officials also stressed the need for BP to move quickly to pay state and local government claims, and reiterated President Obama’s commitment to work with the people of the Gulf to hold BP accountable, and to address economic, health and environmental needs, and restore the beauty and bounty of the region.”

DOJ, BP Finalize Oil Spill Escrow Fund

U.S. Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli issued the following statement this morning regarding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and BP finalizing plans to establish a $20 billion fund to award claims made by individuals and businesses impacted by the Gulf oil spill:

“Today, the department announced that it had completed negotiations to establish a $20 billion fund to provide the necessary resources to those suffering from the effects of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. We are pleased that BP made an initial contribution and has taken an important step toward honoring its commitment to the President and the residents and business owners in the Gulf region. We have made clear that the company still needs to ensure that the necessary funds will be available if something happens to the subsidiary that established the trust and we look forward to completion of an appropriate security arrangement in the near future.”