California lawmakers questioned homeland security officials over delays and cost overruns on construction of fences along the US-Mexico border. Sara Sciammacco reports from Washington.
Rising fuel and steel costs, as well as competition among vendors, are to blame for the government's fencing troubles. So far only half of the physical fence has been constructed. Plans to complete the virtual fence, which consist of radars and security cameras, are not going forward as of now. A government accountability office report found the project has been mismanaged. California Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez:
Sanchez : We need to make sure we can use this stuff and this stuff can be operational. I know we have gone back and we are going to spend some more money to put this all up.
Federal officials will divert money from the virtual project to help pay for the steel fence. They are targeting to complete it by December 2008.
From Capitol News Connection in Washington I'm Sara Sciammacco for KPBS News
