WASHINGTON -- The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday unanimously approved the FY10 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, sending it to the floor for what could be the Senate's first passage of a regular spending bill this year. The committee's consideration of the unnumbered measure was delayed by the protracted floor fight on the last of the emergency supplemental appropriations to cover Iraq and Afghanistan (see GSN, June 16).
The bill would provide the Homeland Security Department and related agencies $42.9 billion, a 7 percent increase over current funding under the normal appropriations, but $145 million below President Obama's request.
Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) presented the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee's mark in the absence of subcommittee Chairman Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), who is recovering from a staph infection. It was approved 33-0 [Vote 1] and it expected to be taken up on the Senate floor next week.
Inouye said the allocations reflect Byrd's five priorities of securing the borders and enforcing immigration laws; protecting Americans from terrorist threats, preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters; supporting state, local and private sector partners in homeland security, and giving the department resources to improve its financial, procurement and management tools.
The bill would give Customs and Border Protection $10.1 billion, including $3.5 billion to fully fund the increase in Border Patrol agents and $800 million for the Southwest Border efforts such as the security fencing and improved Border Patrol communications.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement would receive $5.4 billion, which includes $115 million for efforts to combat cross-border smuggling of guns and drugs and the spreading violence associated with the drug wars raging in Mexico. It also provides $1 billion to identify and deport dangerous criminal aliens.
Citizenship and Immigration Services would get $136 million, which includes an increase of $5 million to assist in the naturalization of immigrants serving in the armed forces.
The bill also provides $118.5 million to operate the E-Verify system that allows employers to check the residency status of job applicants. The E-Verify system would be extended for three years.
The Transportation Security Administration would receive $7.7 billion, providing funds to buy and install explosive detection devices at airports and to continue the effort to provide 100 percent screening of cargo going on airliners.
The Coast Guard would get $8.9 billion, $268.2 million more than Obama requested, including $1.2 billion for the Deepwater procurement program. That would allow completion of the fourth National Security Cutter and long-lead material for the fifth NSC, purchase of two new maritime patrol aircraft and additional Fast Response Cutters and Response Boat Mediums.
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center would get $287.8 million, DHS science and technology programs would receive $994.9 million and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office $374 million.
The Federal Emergency Management Administration is provided $820 million to cover the expanded work force of 4,000.
The bill also funds $4.2 billion in grants for first responders and state and local agencies assisting in homeland security.
The bill increases funding for IT and management personnel to improve DHS' operations and procurement processes, while directing elimination or reduction in duplicate or ineffective programs.
The bill provides $18 million above the administration's request for the Loran C navigation system, which has been slated for termination. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the system was an important back up for the GPS navigation system and needed another $18 million to continue in service until a new system - E-Loran - can be developed. She said she would try to get the additional funding added during floor consideration.