WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved by a vote of 17 to 14 legislation by U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for FY2020. The legislation, which Senator Capito’s subcommittee advanced Tuesday, provides $70.7 billion to support investments in border security, cybersecurity, aviation security, state and local grants, and other programs to improve national security and keep Americans safe.
 
“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,” Senator Capito said. “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.”
 
The FY2020 Homeland Security appropriations bill fully funds President Trump’s $5 billion request for a border wall system 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.
 
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 and over $17 billion for Disaster Relief.

 

  • 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 $5 billion 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.

 

    • Senator Capito increased funding by $10 million for CBP’s program activities at the Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry in the hope of expanding their training capabilities by partnering with Summit Point as they transition away from their training done for the State Department.

 

  • 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. 

 

  • 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. 

 

 

  • 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.

 

 

 

  • Funds an increase of $3 million for Homeland Security Investigations which enables them to continue partnerships like the one Senator Capito was able to foster between the DHS and Marshall University.

 
Additional information on the legislation is available here.

 

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