House passes $600 million border security bill

The House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to send more federal agents to the border with Mexico to strengthen security, approving a measure the Senate adopted last week. The Obama administration has urged passage of the $600 million program as the flow of illegal immigrants has become an explosive political issue that could play a role in November 2 congressional elections. The bill passed the House on a voice vote. But because of a legal technicality, President Barack Obama will probably have to wait until at least September to sign the bill into law. The money will fund 1,000 new border patrol agents and 250 new customs and border protection officers at points of entry along the southwest border, Representative David Price, a Democrat, said on the House floor. It will also would pay to keep another 270 customs agents, he said.