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U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.
Republicans U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, and U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake have both signed on as co-sponsors of federal legislation that would give the border patrol more officers, money, and resources.
The nearly identical bills cover both the southern and northern U.S. borders but focus mainly on the U.S.-Mexico border.
In the Tucson Sector of the border, the proposals call for more than 30 miles of new pedestrian and vehicle fencing, two more forward operating bases for Border Patrol, and more than 50 miles of new border roads.
The bills also call for 16 hours a day of flight time for unmanned aircraft as well as more Border Patrol and Customs officers.
In an interview with NPR, Flake said it is time for Congress to work with President Obama on immigration.
“My response to the president’s action on immigration has been let’s not stick a finger in his eye, let’s put legislation on his desk,” Flake said.
The House and Senate bills both have a cost of $1 billion a year covering from 2016 to 2025.
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