Chairman Thompson on President’s Budget Request
February 1, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Budget Request. In the request, the President proposes $56.34 billion in Total Budget Authority for the Department of Homeland Security for FY 2011. Of the $56.34 billion, $43.59 billion is requested for net discretionary spending, which requires action by Congressional appropriators. This is a $1.13 billion (2.68%) increase over the FY 2010 enacted budget.
“Given the current fiscal environment, I am pleased that the President saw fit to ask for $56 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for its ongoing efforts at deterring, detecting, preventing, and responding to terrorism and other threats,” said Chairman Thompson.
“Specifically, I am pleased that the President’s Budget seeks to make new investments in airport security, including the acquisition of new screening technologies, bolstering coverage of international flights by Federal Air Marshals, and expanding the canine detection program.”
“Additionally, the President’s Budget enhances: (1) border security by including new funding for staffing at our Nation’s land ports; (2) cybersecurity by investing in R&D; to prevent and respond to cyber attacks that could cripple the Nation’s critical infrastructure; and (3) immigration enforcement by expanding the Secure Communities Program which has resulted in the removal of the most dangerous criminal aliens from our streets. At the same time, I am disappointed that the President’s Budget reduces funding for a variety of grant programs, including much needed assistance to our firefighters, and fails to provide the necessary resources for DHS to meet its international cargo screening requirements.”
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