House considers money for border, Mexico drug war

House subcommittees are considering spending requests for security along the U.S.-Mexico border and ways to help curb Mexican drug violence.

An appropriations panel is holding hearings Tuesday for Homeland Security Department officials to talk about staffing to secure the Mexican border and the 670-mile fence there. The lawmakers also are looking at what role Homeland Security might play in combatting border violence.

About the same time, a separate subcommittee will hear testimony on the Merida Initiative. That's the U.S. program to help Mexico pay for equipment to combat drug trafficking and improve its police and judicial institutions.