House Appropriations Committee approves FY2018 DHS Appropriations bill

The House Appropriations Committee recently passed the FY2018 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill, which contains a number of provisions for critical programs related to aviation security, border enforcement, natural disaster response, cyberattack mitigation, and illegal smuggling.

The bill directs a total of $44.3 billion, $1.9 billion above last year’s appropriations bill, for department related efforts and includes $6.8 billion for disaster relief and emergency response activities through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

To address issues related to securing the nation’s borders, the bill directs a total of $13.8 billion in discretionary appropriations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, which includes $1.6 billion for the construction of a physical barrier along the southern U.S. Border with Mexico and $100 million to hire 500 additional Border Patrol agents.

The legislation also provides $7 billion for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, $619.7 million above FY2017’s enacted level, and $185.6 million that will go towards hiring 1,000 additional law enforcement officers.

Additional appropriations include $7.2 billion for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations, $2 billion for the U.S. Secret Service, and $1.8 billion for the National Protection and Programs Directorate to enhance critical cybersecurity infrastructure and prevent cyber hacking.

“Globalization, cyber-security, and terrorism are changing our way of life and we need to change with it,” Committee Chair U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) said. “This bill fully supports our men and women on the frontline lines who work tirelessly to keep us safe. The bill also provides the necessary funding for critical technology and physical barriers to secure our borders. It is a balanced approach that enhances our capabilities and preparedness.”