Congressman Rogers Votes for Federal Funding for Homeland Security

Statement

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) applauds the U.S. House Appropriations Committee for approving the fiscal year 2018 federal funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The legislation provides $44.3 billion for DHS, which includes $1.6 billion to construct a southern border barrier and other security improvements, meeting the full White House request.

The bill targets critical programs such as aviation security, border and immigration enforcement, customs activities, protection against cyberterrorism, natural disaster response, and efforts to stop the smuggling of drugs and people into the U.S.

"This bill is a complicated and vital piece of the nation's defense," said Congressman Rogers, who served as the very first chairman of the subcommittee when it was created 15 years ago. "I wholeheartedly support securing our borders; however, we must do so using these tax dollars wisely, leveraging the right mix of physical security, personnel and technology. Together, we will continue supporting the Department of Homeland Security and its vision of ensuring a homeland that is safe, secure and resilient against terrorism and other hazards."

As Chairman Emeritus of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers advocated for continued provisions to focus Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Continuing Training Grant funding on training for rural communities, as well as $690 million for the DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, for which dozens of volunteer fire departments across the country and in southern and eastern Kentucky compete for funding.

The bill now heads to the House floor for consideration.

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