WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today voted to advance the FY2019 Homeland Security government funding bill, legislation she authored to support critical national security priorities. The legislation—which the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved with overwhelming bipartisan support today—provides resources for border security, cybersecurity, efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, state and local grants, and other programs to support law enforcement and keep Americans safe.
 
“We have a very strong bill that funds critical Homeland Security priorities and meets our national security needs, providing the department and its nearly 250,000 employees with the resources they need to carry out a broad set of missions around the world,” Senator Capito said. “My highest priority in writing this bill was to secure U.S. borders, and I’m proud to say that our legislation makes a major down payment to do that. This legislation also provides critical resources that will help strengthen cybersecurity, improve our efforts to fight the opioid epidemic, support state and local law enforcement, and keep Americans safe.”
 
The FY2019 Homeland Security Appropriations bill is a $55.15 billion measure written to provide for the security of the American people. The bill makes a major down payment on border security and fully funds the Trump administration’s FY2019 request for the border wall system. Notably, it includes $148 million to combat the opioid epidemic, doubling the FY2018 amount.
 
Senator Capito also voted today to advance the FY2019 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill and the FY2019 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which the committee also approved with overwhelming bipartisan support.
 
Last year, as chair of the FSGG subcommittee, Senator Capito set funding levels for the legislation, including increases in funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, the Drug Free Communities Program, and other efforts to fight the drug epidemic.
 
Specific highlights from all three bills approved by the committee today, including Senator Capito’s Homeland Security bill, are listed below.

FY2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Highlights
 

  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – $55.15 billion, including $48.33 billion in base discretionary funding, which is $611 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $900 million above the president’s budget request, to fund DHS missions including border security, disaster relief, transportation security, immigration enforcement, and cybersecurity. 
  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – $14.30 billion, an increase of $239 million above the FY2018 enacted level, to support 375 new Border Patrol agents, 375 new CBP officers, equipment, and technology required to support operations at our borders and ports of entry. The total fully funds the president’s budget request for the border wall system, making a major down payment on border security. It includes a substantial increase to dedicated funding to combat the illicit movement of opioids. 
  • Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) – $7.21 billion, $134 million above the FY2018 enacted level, to maintain a record level for immigration enforcement. The bill continues support for new teams targeting at-large criminal aliens and those who overstay their visas. It also includes significant investments to combat drug and human trafficking and other transnational criminal activity. It also provides $84 million for ICE vehicles and includes $41 million above the budget request for new personnel to investigate opioid trafficking.
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – $4.84 billion net, including targeted investments in personnel, canine teams, and advanced checkpoint technology.
  • U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) – $10.19 billion, which is $237 million below the historic FY2018 enacted level and $496 million above the budget request level. This amount supports a robust USCG operations and support budget, including additional military personnel. This includes the Coast Guard facilities located in West Virginia.
  • U.S. Secret Service (USSS) – $2.18 billion, $173 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $28 million above the budget request, to fully support USSS activities and additional hiring needed for the 2020 presidential campaign and support for upcoming National Security Special Events. The bill provides full funding to support the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and provides a $6 million increase in funding to train state and local officials in computer forensics and cyber investigations.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – $11.69 billion, of which $7.23 billion is for the Disaster Relief Fund. The bill includes strong support for state and local first responders and emergency management personnel, providing a total of $3.27 billion for these grant and training programs.


FY2019 FSGG Appropriations Bill Highlights

 

  • $270 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program.
  • $99 million for the Drug Free Communities Program.
  • Language discouraging a proposal to eliminate the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
  • $338 million for the Bureau of Fiscal Service in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
  • Sufficient funds for the IRS to implement pro-growth tax reform.
  • Language authored by Senator Capito asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consider a state’s topography when developing procedures to facilitate wireless broadband in rural areas. More information here.


FY2019 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill Highlights

  • Assistance for Israel, including for the new embassy compound in Jerusalem.
  • Prohibition of funds for the Green Climate Fund.

 

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