Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008



Details
Overall, the bill provides $37.4 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, including funding for a border security fence, a provision successfully put in by Republicans members. Specifically, the bill spends over $3 billion on grants to states for various first responder needs and over $5 billion on air and surface transportation security needs. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is ordered to double the amount of airplane cargo inspected. A $1 billion surplus of funds for specific in-bound cargo security is to be used with no further funding until Congress received a more detailed report on spending. $1 billion is added to border fencing and infrastructure. The measure also provides $8.8 billion for customs and border protection and $6.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, both more than requested by President Bush, while providing only $8.4 billion for the Coast Guard, less than requested. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would receive $7.4 billion, a significant increase over what was requested by the president and what FEMA received for FY2007.

The bill also requires the Secretary of DHS to communicate directly to employees their responsibility to cooperate with Inspector General inquiries. The IG had previously reported problems obtaining information from the Department.

Amendments
On June 15, 2007, the House defeated an amendment relating to the construction of a fence on the U.S.-Mexico border by a vote of 233-190.









Passage
On June 15, 2007, the bill passed the House by a vote of 269-150. As per an agreement between Democratic and Republican leaders, the measure included no earmarks, but they could be added later in a conference committee.



Senate


The Senate passed an amended version of the bill on July 26, 2007 by a vote of 89-4.



External resources

 * TheWeekInCongress