Senate passes $600 million bill to beef up personnel, equipment along Mexican border

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Senate passes $600 million border security bill

WASHINGTON — The Senate has passed and sent to President Barack Obama a $600 million measure to help border agents and law officers stop the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs across the Mexican border.

Senators stressed the urgency of improving border security by coming back from their summer break for a voice vote on the measure Thursday. The House passed the bill during a special session on Tuesday.

The legislation includes money to add about 1,500 Border Patrol, immigration and customs officials and to expand the use of unmanned surveillance drones along the Southwest border.