House Approves FY'07 Homeland Security Conference Report
*Funds Border Security, First Responders and more*
Friday, September 29, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives approved a House-Senate Conference agreement, authored by Congressman Rogers, that funds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2007. The legislation provides $34.8 billion for DHS operations and activities, an increase of $2.3 billion above fiscal year 2006 and $2.7 billion above the President’s request (includes $1.8 in emergency spending). The agreement aggressively addresses our most critical homeland security needs, including: border and immigration security; nuclear detection; port, cargo and container security; transportation security; natural disaster preparedness and response; and support to local first responders.
“The recent anniversaries of the 9/11 attacks and the 2005 hurricane disasters keep us focused on why we are here – to protect our citizens and our homeland from any threat to our society and economy, be it terrorism or natural catastrophe,” stated Rogers. “The funding in this conference agreement ensures the Department can address the perils that face our communities and reduce our vulnerability to them.”
Highlights of H.R. 5441, the FY07 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act include:
• $21.3 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities, including funding to hire an additional 2,200 Border Patrol and ICE agents and officers;
• $4.34 billion for port, container and cargo security;
• $3.4 billion for America’s first responders, including grants for terrorism prevention and preparedness efforts, firefighters, high-threat areas, emergency management entities;
• $6.5 billion to fund and reform the Preparedness Directorate and FEMA to coordinate federal assets to better prepare and respond to disasters or terrorist attacks.
• $6.3 billion for the Transportation Security Administration to enhance security for all modes of transportation, including ports, rails, and aviation. The bill also focuses resources on research and development of next generation technologies to inspect baggage, passengers, and cargo.
In addition, the conference agreement includes several security provisions including criminalizing the construction or financing of a tunnel across U.S. borders. The legislation includes important structural reforms of FEMA based on lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. Finally, the agreement also grants authority to DHS to regulate chemical facilities.
Rogers is the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. The subcommittee oversees funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which is home to approximately 180,000 employees and is the third-largest cabinet agency. Security-related entities such as the Transportation Security Administration, Customs & Border Protection, Secret Service, and Coast Guard fall under the DHS umbrella.
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