Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today announced that the Senate has given final passage to a spending bill that funds key New Mexico-based national security and border security initiatives.  The bill will be sent to President Obama for signature. 

            “This legislation invests in efforts that will strengthen security along our border with Mexico, and supports other New Mexico-based national security efforts,” Bingaman said. 

“This bill matches New Mexico’s priorities for strengthened border security.  By supporting our officers at Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, we are ensuring they have the tools they need to get the job done.  The funding for FLETC in Artesia is crucial for the local economy and provides a world class training facility for Border Patrol agents, Bureau of Indian Affairs police officers, and other agencies that use the center,” Udall said.

            The bill funds the following initiatives in New Mexico:

·         $4.5 million for the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Roswell.

·         $239 million for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), which funds four training facilities, including one in Artesia.

·         $93 million for the National Defense Preparedness Consortium.  New Mexico Tech is part of the consortium.

·         $50 million for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.  The New Mexico National Guard provides border security assistance with these funds.

·         Funds an additional 300 Customs and Border Protection agents at land ports of entry to better facilitate trade and border traffic.