Senate Appropriations Committee Sends FY2020 Homeland Security Bill to Full Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee Appropriations today approved and advanced the FY2020 Homeland Security funding bill, which provides $70.7 billion to provide for the security of the American people. The measure, makes investments in border security, cybersecurity, aviation security, state and local grants, and other programs to keep Americans safe.
The FY2020 Homeland Security appropriations bill, which was approved by a vote of 17-14, fully funds the President’s request for the border wall while also providing Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the detention capacity needed to enforce immigration laws. The bill recommends greater support for the operations of the U.S. Coast Guard, enhances our Nation’s cybersecurity posture, and continues to carry provisions requiring greater transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security and its components.
“In this legislation, we provide the funds to protect our homeland, making crucial investments to help bolster our national security and safeguard the lives of every American. The bill contains the resources needed to effectively secure our borders and recommends important funding for immigration enforcement, as well as our Coast Guard. I want to thank Senators Capito and Tester for their diligent work to produce this bill,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.).
“We advanced very strong legislation today that addresses important Homeland Security needs, providing the department the resources necessary to carry out a broad set of critical missions,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. “From securing our borders and combatting terrorism to improving cybersecurity and responding to natural disasters, this legislation funds priorities that affect the lives of nearly every American. I’m especially proud of everything this bill does to strengthen our borders – including fully funding President Trump’s $5 billion request for the border wall system. I will continue to advocate for this carefully and thoughtfully crafted legislation and hope the full Senate will consider it soon.”
Bill Highlights:
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – $70.7 billion, including $53.18 billion in base discretionary funding to fund DHS missions including border security, disaster relief, transportation security, immigration enforcement, and cybersecurity.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – $18.1 billion, an increase of $3.2 billion above the FY2019 enacted level, to fully fund the President’s request for the border wall system, support 200 new Border Patrol technicians, 119 new CBP officers, equipment, and technology that facilitate legitimate trade and travel at ports of entry and expand border surveillance capabilities along our borders. It continues funding to combat the illicit movement of opioids through ports of entry, recapitalize Non-Intrusive Inspection equipment, procure additional surveillance systems and other situational awareness technology, and recapitalize both fixed wing and rotary aircraft.
Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) – $8.4 billion, $780 million above the FY2019 enacted level. The bill provides more than 6,800 more immigration detention beds than were funded in FY2019, allowing ICE to keep pace with the influx of illegal border crossings. It also sustains investments to combat drug and human trafficking and other transnational criminal activity.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – $4.9 billion after crediting fees, which fully funds TSA operations with targeted increases above the request for an additional 1,090 TSA personnel above the request to staff checkpoints and mitigate wait times; $11M above the request to support the additional 50 canine teams added in FY2019 that will allow for better passenger throughput and enhanced security; the fielding of 237 Computed Tomography (CT) checkpoint scanning equipment to enhance threat detection capabilities; and other innovative solutions to meet the threats of tomorrow.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – $11.6 billion, which provides nearly $294 million above the FY2019 enacted amount for operations and support activities for USCG’S domestic and overseas missions. For USCG procurement and construction, the bill provides necessary funding to continue the ongoing acquisitions for vessel and aircraft recapitalization. In addition, the bill supports shore infrastructure, cybersecurity, and IT enhancements.
U.S. Secret Service (USSS) – $2.3 billion, $101 million above the FY2019 enacted level, to fully support USSS activities and additional hiring needed for the 2020 presidential campaign and support for upcoming National Security Special Events. The bill also provides $6 million to support the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – $2.0 billion, which is $336 million above the FY2019 enacted amount. Cybersecurity efforts, which include protection of civilian Federal networks, are supported at $1 billion, $350 million above the budget request amount. The bill includes $68 million above the FY 2019 enacted amount for greater threat analysis and response capabilities in Federal, State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT), and Critical Infrastructure networks. The bill also increases funding above FY 2019 by $117 million to reduce a backlog in vulnerability assessments, and $129 million to modernize and better defend the Federal Enterprise.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – $21.8 billion, of which $17.8 billion is for the Disaster Relief Fund, representing an overall increase of $5.2 billion above the FY2019 enacted level.
The bill includes strong support for state and local first responders and emergency management personnel, providing a total of $2.7 billion for these grant and training programs, including:
- $525 million for State Homeland Security Grants, including $90 million for Operation Stonegarden;
- $600 million for Urban Area Security Initiative grants, including $50 million for non-profit organizations;
- $100 million each for Port and Transit Security grants;
- $710 million for Fire and SAFER grants;
- $355 million for Emergency Management Performance grants;
- $148 million for Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program;
- $10 million for Regional Catastrophic Preparedness grants;
- $10 million for the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grants;
- $67 million for the Center for Domestic Preparedness;
- $18 million for the Center for Homeland Defense and Security;
- $19 million for the Emergency Management Institute; and
- $101 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – $121.6 million for E-Verify operations so U.S. businesses can determine the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) – $305 million for FLETC, including funds to train more than 95,000 students and funds to complete important facility construction, expansion, and renovation efforts at the FLETC campuses.
Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) – $710.4 million for S&T, which is $128 million above the budget request. This amount includes sufficient funding to continue the operation of S&T laboratories and includes funding for Cargo and Port of Entry Programs, Port and Coastal Surveillance, University Programs, as well as the Canine Detection Teams, among other important research initiatives.
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) – $424.7 million for CWMD, which is $1.5 million above the budget request. The bill includes funds for research to develop an Active Interrogation System to effectively detect special nuclear material, conventional explosives, and narcotics that can be smuggled through ports and transportation hubs. The bill will allow CWMD to develop and enhance programs and capabilities that defend against weapons of mass destruction and combat bio-threats and pandemics.
Departmental Management and Operations – $1.8 billion for Departmental Management, which is equal to the FY2019 enacted amount. This level includes an increase of $17.5M for the Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention, and supports headquarters management, intelligence, and oversight activities.
Oversight and Accountability
The measure also includes extensive direction regarding metrics and performance evaluation to hold DHS accountable for operational outcomes associated with the included investments. The bill includes oversight measures:
- Requiring the Department to submit a report on visa overstays and publish border security metrics;
- Requiring the Department to submit quarterly obligation and staffing plans and better details in budget justification;
- Requiring the Department to report conference spending to the inspector general and limiting the use of funds for certain conferences; and
- Requiring the Department to link all contracts that provide award fees to successful acquisition outcomes, and prohibiting funds to pay for award or incentive fees for contractors with below satisfactory performance.
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