Two senators -- Democrats Charles Schumer of New York and Ben Cardin of Maryland -- returned from their August recess today to give the chamber's approval for $600 million in emergency funding to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border. The measure, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, now advances to President Barack Obama's desk to be signed into law.

 

Among other things, the bill provides for about 1,500 new law enforcement agents, new unmanned aerial vehicles, new forwarding operating bases and $14 million in new communications equipment.

 

The bill is funded in part by imposing higher fees on personnel companies that bring foreign workers into the United States.