Senate OKs Homeland Security Bill; New Border Agent Hires Total 1,500 for Next Year

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Byline: Stephen Dinan, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Congress yesterday approved hiring 1,000 new Border Patrol agents in fiscal year 2006 with Senate passage of the homeland security spending bill.

The bill, which passed by voice vote after first clearing the House on Thursday night, now goes to President Bush for his signature.

Coupled with the 500 agents approved in an earlier emergency spending request, Congress now has funded 1,500 agents for next year - far higher than the 210 agents Mr. Bush proposed in his February budget.

But it is 500 agents short of the 2,000 per year Congress and the White House agreed to in last year's intelligence overhaul …