Why is U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is putting a halt to border construction projects?
WASHINGTON — Facing criticism for her handling of federal stimulus money, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Wednesday that she would not start any new border construction projects while the department reviewed how projects were selected. Napolitano has faced questions since The Associated Press reported last month that Homeland Security officials did not follow their internal priority lists when choosing which border checkpoints would get money for renovations. Under a process that is secretive and susceptible to political influence, officials planned to spend millions at tiny checkpoints, passing over busier, higher-priority projects. The criticism peaked Wednesday when a senior Senate Democrat, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, said that, despite Napolitano’s assurances, he felt Homeland Security was treating the economic stimulus plan like a “bottomless pit” of taxpayer money. It was unusually pointed criticism from a member of the president’s own party about how the adm
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is putting a halt to border construction projects funded by the federal stimulus following questions about how money is being spent, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan criticized stimulus spending on ports of entry from Canada. He also questioned plans to spend $355 million to build new ports of entry at 22 locations along the Canadian border, saying some of those have minimal traffic and security challenges compared with sites along the Mexican border. “On average, the ports see only five vehicles per hour and yet the proposed plan is to spend an average of $16 million per facility,” said Dorgan in a statement. “It just defies common sense.” Dorgan pointed to Antler, N.D., which he said sees two trucks and 36 passenger cars per day. The Antler location is slated to be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of $14 million. “I support efforts to boost security on our northern border, but we need to do it in a way that is
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is putting a halt to border construction projects funded by the federal stimulus following questions about how money is being spent, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan criticized stimulus spending on ports of entry from Canada. He also questioned plans to spend $355 million to build new ports of entry at 22 locations along the Canadian border, saying some of those have minimal traffic and security challenges compared with sites along the Mexican border. Sources: Bizjournals.
