Sen. Marco Rubio supports border fence, votes against building border fence

By a vote of 54-39, the Senate today rejected Sen. John Thune’s amendment to the Gang of Eight’s immigration bill that would have prevented the administration from granting legal status to illegal aliens until at least half, or 350 miles, of a proposed border fence had been constructed. Of the 700 miles of reinforced, double-layer fencing required by the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, fewer than 40 miles have been constructed. Sounds like a shovel-ready job to us.

Seven Republicans, including Rubio and John McCain, voted with the majority. They broke with Sens. Ted Cruz and Chuck Grassley, among others.

Why do senate democrats not want a secure border. Border shld b secure b4 legalization. Polls show ppl want secure border

— ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) June 18, 2013

Was pleased to vote for @SenJohnThune's amendment to help secure the border, a great improvement to current provisions in Gang of 8 bill.

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) June 18, 2013

Voted for #Thune amdt to enforce completion of the double layer fence on the border. Border security must be part of #Immigration reform.

— Saxby Chambliss (@SaxbyChambliss) June 18, 2013

Just voted for Sen. Thune’s amendment requiring completion of the 350/700 mile fence.

— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 18, 2013

Today the Senate missed an opportunity to show the public we are serious about #bordersecurity & enforcing our laws. http://t.co/gb21gFZ1Rs

— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) June 18, 2013

Thune issued a statement following the vote:

Our immigration system is broken and must be fixed. Unfortunately, each time Congress has tried to fix our immigration system, promises to secure our border are never upheld. The completion of the fence required by current law would be a tangible demonstration that Congress and this administration are serious about border security. I am disappointed the Senate missed this important opportunity to communicate to the American people that we are serious about securing our border and enforcing the laws that we pass.

I support Senator Thune’s efforts to require completion of double layered border fencing. Properly deployed, these fences have proven highly effective in limiting illegal crossings. That is why the current bill requires $1.5 billion be spent specifically on a border fence plan. However, his amendment does not detail a specific border plan. Therefore, I opposed his amendment and instead continue to work with my Republican colleagues to arrive at a new measure that improves on the significant border security measures already in the bill.

.@MarcoRubio: I 'support' border security fence so I voted against it: http://t.co/yJi2Otp9nN

— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) June 18, 2013

https://twitter.com/Texas_Frog/status/347122660733493248

@marcorubio A GOP Senator who couldn't support 350 miles of fence today shouldn't be representing anybody. Please RESIGN ASAP.

— Steve Austin (@suscepit) June 18, 2013

So, RT if you knew "Mr. Secure the Borders First" would vote AGAINST securing the border with a fence today. @marcorubio #immigration

— Madalen_T (@madalentheiss) June 18, 2013