Sen. Tester discusses border security plan with Homeland Security, Senate leaders

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) met this week with Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen and a bipartisan group of Senators to develop a border security plan.

Tester is the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which sets funding levels for security and law enforcement along the country’s borders. After failing to pass a long-term budget, Congress and the White House have until Feb. 8 to reach a budget agreement.

“I refuse to let partisan politics and Washington dysfunction derail my push to strengthen our borders,” Tester said. “I am going to keep the pressure turned up on both parties and make sure folks stay at the negotiating table until we have an agreement to make a responsible investment to increase security on the northern and southern borders.”

Tester supports, as part of the border security plan, the hiring of 500 Customs and Border Patrol officers annually until the 3,600 Customs and Border Patrol shortage is resolved. He is also advocating requiring Border Patrol Agents to use fiber optic detection technology at border crossings, requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to report on cell phone conversation monitoring along the border and encouraging the Department of Homeland Security to purchase protective gear and uniforms that are made in the United States. He also supports Operation Stonegarden grants for local law enforcement that assists in border protection.