Three Border Security Amendments Fail in the Senate

Three border security amendments were defeated on Thursday morning after failing to reach the necessary 60 votes. Originally, five border security amendments were offered the Emergency Spending bill now being considered in the Senate, but amendments offered by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) were kept off the floor by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) amendment would have provided funding for 6,000 National Guard troops to help monitor the Southwest border. The amendment failed 51-to-46. (60 votes needed for passage)

Senator Jon Kyl’s (R-Ariz.) amendment would have provided additional funding to the Department of Justice to help prosecute immigration-related cases along the Southwest border. The amendment failed 54-to-44. (60 votes needed for passage)

Senator John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) amendment would have provided additional funding to help drug enforcement along the Southwest border. The amendment failed 54-to-43. (60 votes needed for passage)