President Obama is sending an additional 1,200 National Guard troops and requesting $500 million for border security, according to an article in the Washington Post. About 340 troops already work on the border, but the impetus for sending more seems to be coming from two places: Republican pressure, and increased violence on the border.
“The move by the president is a direct appeal to Republicans in Congress, who have argued that the federal government must get serious about securing the border.” In return for the president’s harder stance, the White House hopes Republicans will support broad immigration reform.
But Senate Republicans don’t appear to be satisfied. According to the story, they offered an amendment to a bill that would result in $2 billion in border funding, as compared to the $500 million Obama requested. And John McCain says he wants to introduce an amendment to fund 6,000 troops.
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