October 26, 2009
What’s at Issue
The U.S. Congress passed a $42.8 billion spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10).
To view the U.S. House of Representatives vote, please click here.
To view the U.S. Senate vote, please click here.
Why It’s Important
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security includes funding and important provisions for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other programs.
Major Provisions
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- $42.8 billion is provided for the DHS, $2.5 billion above FY09 and $1 million below the President’s budget request.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- $7.65 billion is provided for FY10, which represents a 9.7% increase over FY09 and 1.8% below the President’s budget request.
- Aviation Security: $5.46 billion is provided for aviation security, a 20.3% million increase over FY09.
- $778 million is provided for the procurement of explosives detection system (EDS) equipment at airports, a 165% increase over last year’s $294 million. The President’s budget requested $857 million.
- The conference report directs that 28% of the $778 million go to medium- and small-sized airports.
- Aviation Regulation and Enforcement: $256 million is provided for aviation regulation and enforcement, $8.7 million above FY09 and the same as the President’s budget request.
- Within this funding, $8,696,000 is to annualize 9/11 Act activities and to support implementation of new general aviation regulatory activities.
- The report states:
The committee understands that TSA is currently working with stakeholders to develop a modified Large Aircraft Security Program rule that minimizes adverse effects on general aviation while addressing security concerns. The committee also understands that after this consultation TSA plans to issue a new notice of proposed rulemaking to ensure additional public comment. The committee agrees with TSA’s deliberative approach to this issue and encourages TSA to weigh the costs and benefits associated with this new security mandate for general aviation operators and airports.”
- Air Cargo: $122.85 million is included for air cargo, the same as FY09 and $14 million above the President’s request. Funding is also provided for additional domestic and international inspectors and international air cargo activities to strengthen the development of a global air cargo security and to continue air cargo pilots using emerging technologies that are being developed to screen larger-sized items.
- Within the amount provided, $4.7 million is to be used for testing, evaluation, and qualification of existing technologies for use in air cargo to assist the fresh fruit industry in complying with new cargo screening requirements.
- Crew and Other Vetting Programs: $87.6 million is provided for crew and other vetting programs to support personnel working on a variety of vetting activities. This includes vetting flight crew members and employees with access to secure areas in the airports; the imposition of temporary flight restrictions; and reviews of non-scheduled commercial operators (charters) to ensure a level of security equivalent to regularly scheduled airlines.
- In addition, the vetting of general aviation, charter, and business aircraft flying into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the three Maryland airports within 15 miles of Washington, D.C. (Potomac Airpark, Washington Executive, and College Park) and checks of alien flight school pilots seeking training in the United States.
NATA Position
NATA is pleased that Congress has approved essential legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Status
The House and Senate bills and final conference report can be viewed here.
Staff Contact: Kristen Moore
Director, Legislative Affairs
kmoore@nata.aero