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Military authorized to return to border patrol duty

Source: Associated Press
Pubdate: Fri, 22 May 1998

(AP) - The House voted Thursday to authorize enlisting the military to help patrol U.S. borders in the war against drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Opponents said the plan could turn the U.S.-Mexican border into an armed corridor.

The 288 to 132 vote approving the experiment came as the House neared completion of a $270 billion defense spending bill for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The overall legislation includes $1.9 billion to keep U.S. forces in Bosnia and provides a 3.6% pay raise for the military - half a percentage point more than the Clinton administration requested.

It also includes a ban on further exports of high-technology to China. And it is notable for one thing it doesn't include: another round of base closings sought by the Clinton administration. Lawmakers sparred over whether the Pentagon could or should be called upon to deploy forces for monitoring and patrolling the U.S.-Mexican border.

Rep. James Traficant, R-Ohio, sponsor of the amendment, told the House the legislation only authorizes such a deployment and doesn't require it. First, the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the Customs Service would have to request the help and the defense secretary would have to approve it. The Defense Department opposes the measure.

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