McSally, other Congress members tour border

Following discussions with federal officials and local ranchers in Bisbee earlier today, backers of a $1 billion-a-year bill aimed at securing the border spoke briefly to reporters.

Standing in the middle of the 14,000-acre ranch owned by Bisbee resident John Ladd, Texas Congressman Michael McCaul said he is confident his legislation will pass in the House despite criticism from Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and from the Border Patrol union.

Johnson said last week that the Republican-led proposal was "unworkable" and would make the border less secure.

McCaul, flanked by some of the 21 members of Congress who toured the border, brushed aside criticism.

"We gave the department time to get this done and they have not gotten the job done," McCaul said. 

"The reason why they don't like my bill and the unions don't like my bills is that we tell them how to get it done."

McCaul predicted that opposition from the Border Patrol union would only galvanize support his bill. 

Southern Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally said the billion-dollar-a-year bill would give officials the tools they need to secure the border.

McSally authored an amendment to the bill which would increase the number of Border Patrol agents working in forward operating bases or near the international border. 

Ladd is also optimistic about the bill's chances, noting that while he has hosted other members of Congress in the past he has never had so many interested in fixing problems at the border before.