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AAAE: House Appropriations Committee Releases FY 2019 DHS/TSA/CBP Spending Bill

Direct News Source

Jul-2018

House Appropriations Committee Releases FY 2019 DHS/TSA/CBP Spending Bill
July 18, 2018

In advance of consideration tomorrow morning, the House Appropriations Committee has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2019 spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its component agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In total, the measure proposes $51.4 billion for DHS, $3.7 billion more than the level provided in the FY 2018 omnibus.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

In total, the House recommends $7.3 billion for TSA in FY 2019, including $3.3 billion for Transportation Security Officers and private screeners. In addition, the bill includes $91.5 million for the purchase and installation of 240 computed tomography machines at high risk passenger screening checkpoints, $20 million and 95 machines more than requested. Also, the bill proposes 50 new canine teams for passenger screening, raising the total to 1,097 teams nationwide. Lastly, the Committee once again rejects the Administration's proposal to raise the passenger security fee by $1 per one-way trip.

The Committee document does not illuminate whether funding has been provided for the Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement program or to retain TSA officers at exit lanes. This information is typically included in the report, which will not be available until after the full Appropriations Committee approves this bill. We expect the Committee to approve the bill and release their report next week.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

In total, the House recommends $17.8 billion for CBP in FY 2019, $3.8 billion above the FY 2018 omnibus. At this level, $5 billion is proposed for the border wall and associated technologies. In addition, the Committee provides funding for 375 new CBP officers to be deployed at air and land ports of entry.

The Subcommittee on Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to mark up the legislation tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

This press release was sourced from AAAE on 18-Jul-2018.