House pressed on border security bill

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The White House is pushing Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to put a border security bill on next week's agenda, officials say.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday negotiations were under way this week with the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., The Hill reported.

The House will be in session next week during the August recess to consider legislation providing $26 billion in emergency aid for state governments. A Senate bill approved Thursday would increase the number of Border Patrol agents on the southern border by 1,000.

Democratic senators, including Charles Schumer of New York and Claire McCaskill off Missouri, are also pressing for action in the lower House.

The House adopted a $700 million border security bill sponsored by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., before the recess. Leaders in the House say the Senate bill cuts the amount of money involved by $100 million and is not a measure the House could consider without changes.