Sen. Udall Takes Border Security Baton From Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House voted unanimously this morning to approve Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ final piece of legislation – a border security bill – and now Sen. Tom Udall is taking the legislative baton from Giffords and will try to get the bill passed in the Senate.

The bill, sponsored by Udall, D-N.M., and Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev. in the Senate, would beef up border security by closing a loophole in current law that allows smugglers who use ultralight aircraft to receive a lesser penalty than those who use airplanes or cars.  The legislation is a likely slam-dunk in the Senate. The upper chamber passed Udall’s version of the bill late last year but the House Ways and Means Committee ruled that the legislation increases revenue, and therefore must originate in the U.S. House. Now, the Senate simply needs to re-approve the measure.

Giffords was shot and nearly killed by a constituent in her Tuscon district in January 2011. She  introduced her bill in the House in May 2011, before she sustained her near-fatal injuries. Her bill passed the House today by a 408-0 vote shortly after she resigned to focus on her recovery. In case you missed it, Giffords’ House colleagues paid her an emotional tribute this morning on the House floor. You can see some of that here.

Udall said he will be honored to guide Giffords’  bill through the Senate.

“Today, her perseverance and courage inspires us all and represents the very best of our nation,” Udall said in a statement. “I’m honored to have worked with Gabby on her final legislative act as a member of this Congress — a bill that strengthens our border security in New Mexico, Arizonaand our neighboring border states.  I commend the House for passing this important legislation and am working to ensure its swift passage in the Senate, so that President Obama can sign Gabby’s bill into law. “