CBP 2013 Funding Would Increase Some Under House DHS Appropriations Bill

A fiscal year 2013 House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill approved by an appropriations subcommittee May 9, 2012 would provide $39.1 billion in discretionary funding for DHS, a decrease of $484 million below last year’s level and a decrease of $393 million below the President’s request. However, the measure would increase CBP funding by almost $10 million compared to the FY2012 funding if approved, said a committee press release.

No amendments were added to the bill during a House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee markup on May 9, 2012. Text of the draft bill is (here). The press release is (here).

Customs and Border Protection -- The bill contains $10.2 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) -- an increase of $77 million above the President’s request and $9.4 million above last year’s level, when adjusted for proposed transfers and realignments.

This funding would provide for 21,370 Border Patrol agents and 21,186 CBP officers -- the largest totals in history -- and would include $117 million for Inspection and Detection Technology. In addition, the bill includes $518 million for Air and Marine operations and procurement to continue air patrol efforts on the U.S. border -- funding that was cut in the President’s budget request.

The bill would provide $68 million for CBP’s National Targeting Center in order to enhance the identification of known and suspected terrorists and criminals. The bill would also provide no less than $20 million for outreach to counter human trafficking, and $327 million for border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- The bill would provide $5.5 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) -- an increase of $141.6 million above the President’s request, but $76.8 million below last year’s level. The bill denies many of the steep cuts to ICE requested in the President’s budget to ensure that the agency can effectively enforce immigration and customs laws.]

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) -- The bill includes $5.1 billion for TSA -- a decrease of $146.5 million below the President’s request (excluding proposed fee revenue) and $422 million below last year’s level. This includes funding for security enforcement, cargo inspections, and intelligence functions.