The Senate voted Monday afternoon 67-27 in favor of a bipartisan measure that would strengthen the border security portion of the comprehensive immigration reform bill.
The amendment, which incorporated the language of the overall immigration reform bill, was an important test vote on final passage of the main bill. Final passage is expected later this week.
The amendment calls for 20,000 more border agents, the entire 700 miles of fencing across the Mexico border, $3.2 billion worth of technology upgrades along the border, tighter border entry-exit controls and electronic visa tracking.
Border security has been a point of contention within the immigration legislation, with many Republicans saying they wouldn’t vote for the legislation unless it calls for strengthening border security.
The amendment needed at least 60 votes to advance.
