Senate Approves More Fencing Along Southern Border

Today, the Senate voted to require 700 miles of actual fencing be built along the southern border, rather than permit stretches of "virtual fencing" made up of vehicle barriers and high-tech equipment.

The border fence is extremely problematic and violates dozens of environmental and religious rights laws, as well as can cost as much as $5 million per mile.

Let's hope that this provision is stripped out in conference. But as the Associated Press noted, this provision demonstrates "the extent to which spending bills can serve as vehicles for policy debates."