Department of Homeland Security Funds Only Partially Secure the Homeland
Nearly Half of Government-Wide Homeland Security Spending is Outside New Department
Nearly Half of Government-Wide Homeland Security Spending is Outside New Department
Washington, DC -- The Department of Homeland Security will spend just two-thirds of its $36.2 billion budget, or $23.89 billion, on homeland security activities in FY 2004, according to an analysis of the President's recent budget request. The analysis, conducted by the Terrorism Prevention Project at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, shows that total government spending on homeland security functions next year will be $41.35 billion. The analysis reveals that, surprisingly, barely half (57.8%) of the total government spending on homeland security is actually funneled through the Department of Homeland Security.
The rationale for creating the Department of Homeland Security was to consolidate the federal government's homeland security efforts under one roof. In reality, thirty federal departments and agencies outside of the Department of Homeland Security will receive $17.46 billion in FY04 to conduct homeland security functions if the President's budget request is adopted.
"The notion that Secretary Ridge is in charge of all the government's homeland security efforts is not accurate," said Erik Floden, director of the Center's Terrorism Prevention Project. "Contrary to the vision laid out when the Department was being created, homeland security is still a very fragmented process," Floden added.
- Coast Guard - $3.4 billion for search and rescue operations
- Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate - $4.3 billion for disaster relief
- Secret Service - $1.3 billion for personal security functions
- INS Immigration - $3.3 billion for regular immigration activities
The $12.3 billion in the Department of Homeland Security budget not being used for security purposes is for the following:
* Coast Guard - $3.4 billion for search and rescue operations * Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate - $4.3 billion for disaster relief * Secret Service - $1.3 billion for personal security functions * INS Immigration - $3.3 billion for regular immigration activities
"A key indicator of how well the Department of Homeland Security is functioning, Floden added, "is how well the department coordinates and integrates its efforts with other departments that receive homeland security funding."