By Alabama Public Radio
Washington DC – US Senator Jeff Sessions was a key player in a major Republican victory Wednesday in Washington DC. Sessions was successful in gaining Senate support for his plan to build fencing along the Mexican border. Senators approved the plan 83-16. It plan would add 370 miles of triple layer fencing, as well as 500 miles of vehicle barriers along the southern border. Sessions says border areas where barriers already exist have seen reduced crime and economic gains. The passage marked a significant victory for conservatives who have been trying to place their stamp on the immigration measure. Those same conservatives have not been as successful in their attempts to remove portions of the legislation that could allow citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants and create new guest worker programs. The vote came as Republicans in the US House have been voicing concern that President Bush favors amnesty for illegal immigrants.