September 14, 2006—In order to implement an effective plan to protect the nation by securing our borders, the Republican-led House of Representatives today passed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006, despite opposition from Democrats. Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) cast his vote in resolute support of the bill.

 “National security is intrinsically tied to border security.  This bill provides critical mechanisms needed to prevent terrorists from entering this country to inflict unthinkable horror upon our citizens.  I truly believe an eventual goal of Islamist fascists is to enter our country with a nuclear warhead to utterly devastate a major American city.  To underestimate this danger would be a dereliction of duty on the part of the U.S. Government.  283 Members of Congress upheld their duty to protect Americans by voting for the passage of this bill.  I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to do the same.”

 H.R. 6061 directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take all necessary and appropriate actions to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the United States.  One of the major highlights of the Secure Fence Act of 2006 is that it requires DHS to build at least two layers of reinforced fencing and additional checkpoints and vehicle barriers.   The House Democrats offered an alternative version of H.R. 6061, which did not so much as mention the word “fence” a single time.  This effort to impede the tough border protections was defeated by Republicans.

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee