House Scheduled to Vote on DHS FY 2010 Appropriations Bill (Includes CBP, TSA, ICE)
On June 12, 2009, the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2010 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) After being reported, the FY 2010 DHS appropriations bill was introduced in the House (H.R. 2892).
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House Scheduled to Vote on Bill as Early as June 24, 2009
According to the Republican Whip, H.R. 2892 is scheduled for consideration by the House on June 24, 2009 (subject to a rule).
(Note that on June 18, 2009, the Senate Appropriations Committee ordered reported its own FY 2010 DHS Appropriations bill, S. 1298.)
Highlights
According to an Appropriations Committee summary, highlights of the DHS appropriations legislation include funding for (partial list):
Air Cargo and Cargo Container Security.
assistance in meeting the 100% air cargo security screening mandate by August 2010, required by the 9/11 Act;
the development and deployment of systems to screen cargo for weapons or nuclear precursor materials;
continuation of CBP's implementation of pilot and overseas container security programs; and
to enhance targeting of dangerous goods and people.
(The press release notes that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included $100 million for new inspection technology at ports of entry.)
Combating Southwest Border Violence
CBP Southwest Border investments for Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology (BSFIT);
- 019 Border Patrol agents, of whom over 17,000 will be based on the Southwest Border;
CBP Southwest Border counterdrug initiatives, including additional scanning systems for southbound lanes;
new staff, including: 44 Border Patrol agents, 64 CBP Officers and 16 support staff to enhance Southwest Border counterdrug enforcement; 144 pilots and mission support staff to expand CBP Air and Marine surveillance and patrol for border security, homeland security, and counterdrug missions;
expanding ICE operations related to Southwest border violence by initiating more ICE investigations, intelligence activities, and international programs; and
ICE investigations of cross-border weapons smuggling.
Northern Border Security.
additional investments in Northern Border security technology; and
CBP's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to deploy technology and infrastructure at the 46 busiest border ports of entry and facilitate travel and security for all travelers.
(The press release notes that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included funding to upgrade and replace over 30 CBP ports of entry, mostly on the Northern Border.)
Transportation Security Administration.
the purchase and installation of explosive detection systems at airports nationwide; and
surface transportation security inspectors (funding will be used to form more enforcement teams).
Expenditure Plans Would be Required for ACE, SBI, US-VISIT, Etc.
One of the policy items addressed in the Committee press release is the requirement for DHS to prepare expenditure plans (to ensure that DHS is appropriately planning) for: the Security Border Initiative; the Automated Commercial Environment; US-VISIT; National Cyber Security; National Command and Coordination Capability; BioWatch; and Next Generation Networks, etc.
Committee summary of legislation (dated 06/12/09) available at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/HS_FY10_FC_Summary_06-12-09.pdf.
House report on H.R. 2892 (H. Rept. 111-157) available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_reports&docid=f:hr157.111.pdf.
Senate report on S. 1298 (S. Rept. 111-31) available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_reports&docid=f:sr031.111.pdf.