What’s at Issue
Congress has approved a $630 billion continuing resolution (CR), H.R. 2638, that would fund Cabinet departments and agencies of the federal government at current levels through March 6, 2009. Included in the CR was a fiscal year 2009 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Why It’s Important
The Homeland Security Appropriations bill provides needed funding for our nation’s most pressing security needs, including implementation of the 9/11 Act, and the resources to prepare for unforeseen disasters of every kind. Specifically, the bill provides $42.2 billion for DHS, representing a $2.3 billion increase over fiscal year 2008. The bill cuts funding for low priority or poorly managed programs in order to increase investments in high priority areas, including the security of our ports and our rail and transit systems.
Major Provisions
9/11 Act Aviation Security Mandates:
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA): $4.62 billion is provided for the TSA, $96 million above fiscal year 2008. Of this amount, $1.1 billion is provided to implement 9/11 Act requirements, including $544 million to increase the purchase of explosives detection systems for baggage; $123 million for air cargo security; $390 million for specialized screening programs; and $62 million for response teams, inspectors, regulations, and new activities.
- REAL ID: $100 million is provided to help states comply with REAL ID, which requires state licenses to meet new standards in order to be used for federal identification purposes at entry points to vulnerable facilities such as gates for boarding aircraft. This includes $50 million for DHS to develop a data center to link state DMVs to other record-keeping agencies to allow state governments to verify applicants’ identity documents when they apply for new driver’s licenses.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Management: $943 million is provided for FEMA, $219 million above fiscal year 2008 to increase the number of staff available to respond to disasters and improve FEMA’s financial systems, and the nation’s Emergency Alert System.
First Responder and Grant Programs: $4.2 billion is provided for First Responder and Grant Programs, which is $24 million above fiscal year 2008. This total includes:
- State Grants: $950 million is provided, which is the same as fiscal year 2008, to be used for grants to plan and train local first responders to respond to terrorist attacks and other emergency incidents.
- Fire Grants: $775 million is provided for fire grants, $25 million above fiscal year 2008, to help local fire departments address communication, equipment and staffing problems.
- Interoperable Communications: $50 million is provided for interoperable communications, rejecting the President’s proposal to eliminate aid to help police, firefighters and emergency responders to talk to each other during a crisis – the same as 2008.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP): $9.82 billion is provided for CBP, $398 million above fiscal year 2008, including:
- Container Security: $404 million for programs including the Secure Freight Initiative pilots and overseas container inspection programs, and $514 million for Domestic Nuclear Detection efforts.
NATA Position
NATA supports the funding levels Congress appropriated for the DHS for fiscal year 2009. This increase in funding will help ensure that national security remains a top priority by enabling continuation of implementation of the 9/11 Act recommendations and will provide adequate funding for new and existing programs within the agency.
Status
On Tuesday, September 30, 2008, the last day of the fiscal year, President Bush signed H.R. 2638 into law.
Staff Contact: Kristen Moore
Director, Legislative Affairs
kmoore@nata.aero
Staff Contact:
David Almy
Vice President
NATA
703-845-9000
dalmy@nata.aero