House Approves Increase in Border Security Funding

June 7, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas,CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted last night to approve an increase in border security funding. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2007, H.R. 5441 was approve with bipartisan support, 389-9.

"Border security is national security and we are continuing our commitment to providing the resources necessary to secure our borders and ports of entry, train and equip first responders, and protect our critical infrastructure against terrorist attack," Dreier said. "This bill provides an increase in funding for these critical responsibilities. It also ensures that DHS will spend taxpayer dollars wisely by requiring the Department to develop strategies and performance milestones for measurable results."

Specifically, the legislation provides $19.6 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, a $1.6 billion increase over last year’s levels. Included in that is: funding for 1,200 new Border Patrol agents, for a total of 13, 580; $1.29 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody management, adding 4,870 detention beds for a total of 25, 670; $273 million for transportation and removal of undocumented aliens; $115 million for border security technology and infrastructure; and $105 million for the Criminal Alien Program (CAP), which identifies criminal aliens and removes them before they are released into the community.

Additionally, the bill provides $3.2 billion for first responders, adding to the $37.4 billion already provided since September 11, 2001. The bill also requires DHS to develop a preparedness strategy to measure the performance of first responders and ensure that they are better trained, prepared and equipped. It also includes $4.185 billion for port, cargo and container security. These funds are tied to strict performance requirements, including doubling the amount of cargo inspected, 100 percent screening of all cargo, and the establishment of minimum security standards for all cargo containers.