Contact: Bob Van Wicklin 202 225-3161

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sep 29 - U.S. Representatives John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) voted for the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference report. In addition to funding the Department of Homeland Security, the bill includes funds for Schweizer Aircraft in Elmira.

“The Homeland Security Appropriations bill bolsters our ability to protect our homeland from threats, large and small,” Rep. Kuhl said. “It also ensures that our first responder community is well-equipped to address to those threats. I’m grateful that there are funds for Schweizer Aircraft in this bill to help fund the RU-38B surveillance aircraft program.”

The bill includes $10 million which will be used to purchase Schweizer RU-38B surveillance aircraft for use in border patrol operations. Rep. Kuhl helped to secure $24 million for the same program in the FY 2006 Homeland Security bill last year.

“The plan to require passports or tamper-resistant identification cards from everyone entering the country has been delayed for 17 months, until June of 2009,” Rep. Kuhl continued. “This will give us enough time to develop the proper technology to ensure that new identification cards will better secure borders against terrorists without slowing legitimate travelers from Canada and Mexico.”

The conference report provides $34.8 billion for the operations and activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in fiscal year 2007, an increase of $2.3 billion above fiscal year 2006 and $2.7 billion above the President’s request. The bill addresses our biggest 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 state and local first responders.

Specifically, the bill provides:
o $21.3 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities ($2.1 billion over FY 2006). This includes $5.2 billion for the Secure Border Initiative, providing the appropriate mix of technology, personnel, and infrastructure to prevent terrorists and other criminals from exploiting our borders and immigration system.
o $2.27 billion for border patrol, adding 1,500 new Border Patrol agents, for a total of 14,800;
o $1.2 billion for border fencing, vehicle barriers, technology and infrastructure;
o $4.34 billion ($600 million over FY 2006) to secure our ports and inbound cargo in order to prevent terrorists and criminals from exploiting the international commerce system.
o $3.4 billion for first responders, including grants to high threat areas, firefighters, and emergency management.
o $6.5 billion for the Preparedness Directorate and FEMA to prepare for and respond to any form of disaster or terrorist attack and includes funds and direction to address lessons learned from the 2005 hurricane season.

=30=