WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate may join the House this week in passing legislation that would call for a secure fence on the border between the United States and Mexico.
Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has filed parliamentary motions to get the bill onto the floor, The Washington Times reported.
"It's time to secure the border with Mexico," he said.
The Senate already has passed an immigration bill that includes a guest-worker program and an avenue for illegal immigrants to gain legal status, measures backed by President Bush and many business leaders. The House has only passed measures dealing with border security and punishing illegal immigrants.
Jim Manley, a spokesman for Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said that Frist's move is a "clear repudiation of President Bush's call for comprehensive legislation."
