President Bush Signs Bill to Provide Additional Homeland Security Resources
Washington,
Oct 18, 2004 -
Today President Bush signed the Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Appropriations bill into law which provides additional resources to first responders and border security.
“Our first responders will receive additional resources to continue protecting our Homeland from further attacks. I am also proud New Mexico will continue to play a critical role in our homeland’s defense by training first responders from across the country and also conducting testing on the latest technologies,” Pearce said.
New Mexico specific projects included in the bill are as follows:
$5,000,000 for renovation and construction needs at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico.
$135,000,000 for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, of which New Mexico Tech is a partner.
The bill provides $4 billion for first responders, including grants to high threat areas, firefighters, and emergency management. Since September 11th, 2001, $26.6 billion has been provided to first responders – including terrorism prevention and preparedness, general law enforcement, firefighter assistance, airport security, seaport security, and public health preparedness.
Specific grant levels include:
$1.1 billion for basic formula grants;
$1.2 billion for high-density urban areas, including $150 million for rail security and $150 million for port security;
$400 million for State and local law enforcement terrorism prevention grants;
$715 million for firefighter grants;
$180 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants; and
$195 million for First Responder training.
Protecting our Nation’s Borders
The bill provides $9.8 billion for border protection and related activities, an increase of $700 million over fiscal year 2004 enacted levels. These funds support next generation technology to screen high-risk cargo coming through our land and seaports; an expansion of cargo inspection at foreign ports; improvements to supply chain security; implementation of the Maritime Safety and Security Act (MTSA); and immigration security.
Pearce added, “We must do all we can to prevent terrorists, drug smugglers and others who seek to do us harm from coming across our borders. This legislation will increase the technology and human resources to better protect our borders.”
Specific funding includes:
$146 million for vehicle and cargo inspection technologies;
$20.6 million for increased intelligence and targeting for cargo and passengers;
$126 million for the Container Security Initiative, expanding this program to a total of 47 foreign ports;
$38 million for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism;
$101 million for 791 new Coast Guard personnel to enforce maritime security plans;
$724 million for the U.S. Coast Guard’s “Deepwater” capital acquisition program;
$258 million for Air and Marine Operations for border and airspace security;
$74 million for border security technology, including surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles.
