President Signs into Law Bill Containing Continuing Resolution, FY 2009 DHS Appropriations, Etc.
On September 30, 2008, President Bush signed into law H.R. 2638, the "Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009" (Public Law 110-329). P.L. 110-329 consists of five sections that provide:
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- fiscal year 2009 funding for the Department of Homeland Security;
- continuing appropriations for all agencies and activities that would be covered by the regular FY 20091 appropriations bills, until enactment of the applicable regular appropriations bill or until March 6, 2009, whichever occurs first;
- emergency supplemental appropriations for relief and recovery from hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters;
- FY 2009 funding for the Defense Department of Defense; and
- FY 2009 funding for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
Highlights of FY 2009 Funding for DHS (Including CBP and TSA)
According to a House Appropriations Committee press release, the following are highlights from P.L. 110-329's provisions for DHS FY 2009 appropriations (including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, etc.):
Container security. Funding, above the Administration's request, for programs including the Secure Freight Initiative pilots and overseas container inspection programs and Domestic Nuclear Detection efforts.
New CBP staff. Funding for new CBP staff, including 2,200 border patrol agents, 1,373 CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists, 139 Air and Marine interdiction agents, 27 conduct and integrity officers, and 722 technical and support staff for border security and customs revenue activities.
TSA. Funding to implement TSA's requirements under the 9/11 Act2, including funding for the purchase of explosive detection systems for baggage; air cargo security; specialized screening programs; and response teams, inspectors, regulations, and new activities.
Border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology. Funding to address problems with communications interoperability at the border.
Port security grants. Funding for grants to protect critical port facilities and infrastructure, as authorized in the Safe Ports Act.
Oversight. DHS is required to submit plans on how it will implement the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE); the Secure Border Initiative; National Cyber Security Initiative; US-VISIT; etc.
US-VISIT air exit program. DHS is required to complete two pilot programs before proceeding with its biometric air exit plan.
1October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009.
2The Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/26/08 and 09/29/08 news, 08092610 and 08092925, for BP summaries of the highlights of the House Appropriations Committee-reported FY 2009 DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 6947).)
See ITT's Online Archives or 07/10/08 and 07/15/08 news, 08071015 and 08071515, for BP summaries of the Senate Appropriations Committee-reported FY 2009 DHS appropriations bill (S. 3181).)
House Appropriations Committee press releases on all five sections of P.L. 110-329 (including DHS) available at http://appropriations.house.gov/press_releases.aspx.
White House statement on the signing of P.L. 110-329 (dated 09/30/08) available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/09/20080930-7.html.
H.R. 2638 as passed by House and Senate (P.L. 110-329 not yet available) available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h2638enr.txt.pdf.