House Approves Homeland Security Funding Bill for Fiscal Year 2012
Press Release
House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today applauded the passage of the fiscal year 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R 2017), the first FY12 appropriations bill considered by the House of Representatives. Overall, the FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations bill provides $40.6 billion in total non-emergency funding for the various programs and agencies within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is a decrease of $1.1 billion -- or 2.6% -- below last year's level and $3 billion -- or 7% -- below the President's request. The bill was approved by the House on a vote of 231-188.
"This year's appropriations process has started off on a great foot. Providing for critical national security measures is a funding priority, and I'm pleased we've done so expediently while still cutting spending to more sustainable levels," Rogers said. "I commend the House for working through this bill in regular order, with an open rule -- the first in the House since 2007. This fair, democratic process ensures that all voices have been heard, and that this bill will benefit and protect our citizens and DHS programs and agencies to the greatest extent possible."
Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt also praised the passage of the bill.
"Homeland security and fiscal discipline are both clear national priorities, and the bill passed today accomplishes both," said Aderholt. "H.R. 2017 addresses continued need for robust national security and disaster recovery, while also considering the unquestioned need for fiscal restraint and prioritizing taxpayers' limited dollars toward vital security programs that will have an immediate impact on our nation's safety and security. The passage of this bill marks a great step toward fiscal responsibility and reiterates our commitment to reducing spending and providing and open and transparent appropriations process."
A summary of amendments to the FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that were approved by the House follow:
LaTourette (R-OH) /Pascrell (D-NJ) The amendment increases FEMA state and local firefighter assistance grants by $320 million, offset by a $63.3 million reduction in the Office of the Secretary of DHS, a $117.5 million reduction in the Office of the Undersecretary for Management, and a reduction of $139.2 million reduction in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 333-87.
Royce (R-CA) The amendment cuts funding in the Office of the Secretary at DHS by $1 million, and increases Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by $1 million for the 287g program, which helps state and local entities investigate, detain, and arrest aliens on civil and criminal grounds. The amendment passed on a vote of 268-151.
Broun (R-GA) The amendment cuts $600,000 from the Office of the Under Secretary for Management, and uses the funds to reduce the deficit. The amendment passed on a voice vote.
Poe (R-TX) The amendment increases funding for border security cell phone communications systems by $10 million, offset by a cut to the Office of the Under Secretary for Management. The amendment passed on a vote of 327-93.
King (R-IA) The amendment urges Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remove the "lookout posts" and "spotter locations" located along the border. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
King (R-IA) The amendment will help preserve the "Shadow Wolves" -- Native American Border Protection officers who enforce immigration laws primarily on reservations. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Clarke (D-MI) The amendment strikes the provision in the bill that allows certain funds under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to be targeted to the top 10 highest risk urban areas. The amendment passed on a vote of 273-150.
Richardson (CA) The amendment decreased, and then increased, the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund by $100 million in order to highlight the importance of the funding. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Honda (D-CA) The amendment strikes language in the legislation prohibiting funds from being used for immigrant integration grants. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Sessions (R-TX) The amendment strikes Section 514 of the bill, which prevents commercial activities in the government from competing with the private sector. The amendment passed on a vote of 218-204.
Lummis (R-WY) The amendment strikes language that allows the transfer of funds from DHS to the Department of the Interior for environmental mitigation efforts related to border security activities. The amendment passed on a voice vote of 238-177.
Carter (R-TX) The amendment prohibits the use of funds in the bill from being used for the Climate Change Adaption Task Force of the Department of Homeland Security. The amendment passed on a vote of 242-180.
Poe (R-TX) The amendment prohibits funds from being used in activities contrary to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Poe (R-TX) The amendment prohibits the use of funds to parole an alien into the United States, or grant deferred action of a final order of removal, for any reason other than on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Price (D-NC) --The amendment prohibits funds from being used to enforce requirements for cost sharing, spending restrictions, and program requirements on FEMA's firefighter grants (SAFER), making the program into an operating subsidy for firefighter retention. The amendment passed on a vote of 264-157.
Scalise (LA) The amendment prohibits funds from being used to require an approved Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applicant to personally appear at a designated enrollment center for the purpose of TWIC issuance, renewal, or activation. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Engel (D-NY) The amendment prohibits funds from being used by DHS to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum-Federal Fleet Performance dated May 24, 2011 -- which expands the use of alternative fuel vehicles by the federal government. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
King (R-IA) The amendment prohibits the use of funds from being made available to various individual entities that may have ties to the group formally known as ACORN. The amendment passed on a vote of 251-168.
Cravaak (R-MN) -- The amendment prohibits the use of funds in violation of provisions in existing law related to the mandatory detention of criminal aliens. The amendment passed on a vote of 289-131.
Amash (R-MI) -- The amendment would prohibit funding for political appointees to block, withhold or delay Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The amendment passed on a vote of 257-164.
Rokita (R-IN) --The amendment prohibits funding for the TSA to enter into collective bargaining agreements. These agreements could hamper the ability of TSA agents to respond to emergencies, and limit flexibility in response to emerging threats. The amendment passed on a vote of 218-205.
Jackson Lee (D-TX) The amendment prohibits funds from being used to limit the discretion of the Secretary to enhance the use of Federal Air Marshals on certain international flights. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Cole (OK) --The amendment prohibits funds to implement rules, regulations, or an executive order that would require federal contractors to disclose political contributions. A requirement of this sort could have damaging consequences for private individuals and companies that do business with the federal government, due to the possibility of political affiliation being used as a factor in federal contract awards. The amendment passed on a vote of 252-170.
Mica (R-FL) -- The amendment limits the amount made available to Transportation Security Administration to $2.76 billion for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. The amendment passed on a vote of 219-204.
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