EL PASO, Texas -- The Merida Initiative, proposed by President George W. Bush has gained some momentum in Congress. One panelist at a discussion held Wednesday afternoon at the University of Texas at El Paso on violence in Juarez believes he knows why. "Perhaps boosted by this violence on the border so Congress has moved to help tackle the violence in border towns," said UTEP Political Science Professor Dr. Tony Payan. The initiative would provide $1.4 billion to help Mexico stock up on equipment and training to combat organized crime over a three-year period.

So far, Congress has only approved about $350 million and from that sum Texas U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison asked for $100 million for border local law enforcement. “We need to have more officers, more boots on the ground to respond appropriately whenever we are needed,” said Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca. Mexico's President Felipe Calderon is also stepping up efforts to fight the drug cartels in his country. "President Calderon whom I consider a Mexican patriot has decided that he will clean Mexico and he's willing to pay the price in blood and treasure. Seven-billion dollars are being invested in Mexico already by the Mexican Government,” said Payan.

He also said El Paso is now being compared to Laredo, which as a border town also saw the ongoing violence across the border in Nuevo Laredo back in 2005. "If you look at Laredo and San Diego and other places, it does eventually spill over and I think it will eventually here,” said Melanie Trevino from West El Paso. Another El Pasoan we spoke with said he can already see the violence in El Paso. "Go to your night clubs on the weekends. They come over, they party, they spend money, they have their bodyguards, they carry guns. It’s already here,” said James Perry from Downtown El Paso.

Although money from the Merida Initiative must go through the U.S. it also has to go through Mexico's congress and right now, it's not clear whether President Calderon will accept the money.