House Republicans Defeat Homeland Security Increases

Jun 24, 2003

News from the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

For Immediate Release - June 24, 2003

Contact: Erik Floden, Director, Terrorism Prevention Project, 202-546-0795 ×110

Today, House legislators debated their version of the $29.4 billion Department of Homeland Security budget while fending off attempts by Democrats to add millions to the bill for port and border security.

When compared with increases in the Defense budgets passed by the House over the last two years, the bill’s $1 billion increase over the President’s fiscal year 2004 request is small. For example, the House increased the Pentagon’s budget $7.1 billion this year and $50.8 billion the previous year. “Given the terrorist threat facing the United States, reinforced by increased terror alerts and attacks overseas, the Homeland Security budget should receive a commensurate increase to protect the American public,” noted Erik Floden, Director of the Center’s Terrorism Prevention Project.

Rep. David Obey (D-WI) ranking democrat on the House Appropriations Committee led the charge for the Democrats by attempting to introduce an amendment that would have added approximately $1 billion for the numerous border security accounts listed below. Obey’s amendment would have reduced the tax cut for the 200,000 Americans earning over $1 million annually by $5,000 to pay for the border security increases. The House defeated consideration of his amendment on the floor by a 222 to 200 vote.

Details of Obey Amendment

$500 million for port security grants;
$200 million to increase staffing on the northern border;
$150 million for aviation security for cargo screening, airport perimeters and overseas aircraft maintenance facilities;
$100 million for implementation of Maritime Safety Security Authorization Act for (automated vessel tracking system);
$50 million for the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection directorate that was cut from the President’s request.

Despite Democrats’ objections, the bill does have substantial increases for emergency responders that were not requested by the President. These include:

$1.9 billion for the Office for Domestic Preparedness basic grant programs;
$500 million for grants to high-threat, high-density, urban areas;
$200 million for critical infrastructure grants;
$750 million for Firefighter Assistance.

The focus now shifts to the Senate where appropriators have not yet drafted their homeland security appropriations legislation. Senators will have less room to increase funding for first responders or other homeland security needs because the Appropriations committee announced last week that the cap on discretionary spending for homeland security appropriations in the Senate is $28.5 billion.

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