Senator Hillary Clinton Secures GAO Study on Shared Border Management

Measure Included in FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

December 17, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations bill includes an amendment she sponsored to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide a study on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of Shared Border Management (SBM). In announcing the amendment, Senator Clinton underscored the importance of the study to New York's northern border communities.

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“For over three years, we have been waiting for an explanation of why Shared Border Management is not possible at the site of the Peace Bridge. This measure will force Secretary Chertoff and the Department of Homeland Security to give New Yorkers the answers they deserve,” said Senator Clinton. “Although we don’t yet know why DHS and the Canadian government could not find common ground on this issue, the Department of Homeland Security has a responsibility to offer guidance and resources to help ease the burden on Buffalo and the State of New York as efforts to expand the Peace Bridge move forward.”

Senator Clinton’s amendment requires the GAO to study the Department of Homeland Security's use of shared border management to secure the international borders of the United States. The GAO’s report shall include any negotiations, plans, or designs conducted DHS regarding the practice of shared border management and the factors required to be in place for shared border management to be successful.

Senator Clinton earlier addressed her concerns regarding the failure of DHS to secure a SBM agreement in a letter to Secretary Chertoff and asked the Secretary to provide reassurance that now that Shared Border Management has failed, the Administration will help local communities move forward to fix the problems at the Buffalo/Niagara Border.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton