Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2016 Homeland Security Bill

Press Release

Today, the House Appropriations Committee released its proposed fiscal year 2016 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill, which will be considered tomorrow by the subcommittee. The bill provides funds to secure the nation's borders and enforce immigration laws, identify and protect against cyber threats, stop transnational criminals who smuggle drugs and people into the U.S., respond to natural disasters, and fight terrorism. In addition, the bill improves oversight of DHS to hold the agency accountable to the American people.

The legislation provides $39.3 billion in discretionary funding for DHS, a decrease of $337 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2.1 billion below the President's request. The bill does not contain funds to implement the President's executive action on immigration, and specifically bars the use of funds for these activities for the duration of ongoing legal proceedings on the issue.

Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers made the following statement on the bill:

"Safeguarding our homeland, strengthening our borders, enforcing our immigration laws, and protecting our people from the threat of terrorism and devastating natural disasters -- this is the core mission of this legislation. It will target funds to these areas, making the most of each dollar, while trimming back programs that are lower-priority or that have not been proven productive," Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers said. "And the bill holds the Department's feet to the fire through strong oversight measures to ensure that it is following Congressional directives, spending wisely, and providing strong enforcement of our laws."

Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman John Carter also commented on the bill.

"I am proud that our bill focuses first and foremost on border security, law enforcement and fiscal responsibility," Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman John Carter said. "This bill rejects the President's attempt to undermine our laws and uses the tax payers' dollars in a fiscally responsible manner by promoting reforms within DHS, and reducing ineffectual offices and programs. Additionally, this bill requires the President to enforce current law as it is written, not as he would like to interpret it by executive order. We must provide for our nation's security and enforce the law while exercising fiscal restraint, which is what this bill offers."

Source