June 30, 2008
FAIR
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that provides the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) $39.9 billion in discretionary spending for fiscal year 2009. This represents $2.3 billion more than President Bush's request and about a six percent increase over the $37.67 billion enacted for fiscal year 2008. Specifically, the House bill provides $9.7 billion for Customs and Border Protection, about $272 million more than enacted in fiscal year 2008 and $207 million more than the President's request.

Despite the additional spending, the House DHS Appropriations bill freezes $1.4 billion in spending on border security until the agency submits planning documentation to Congress, including an "analysis of [Homeland Security's] proposed infrastructure and technology solution for individual border segments." (CQ Today, Homeland Security Spending Calls for Planning for Border Protection, June 24, 2008) Representative Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) objected in particular to the planning language in the bill that restricts $400 million of the $775 million appropriated for border fencing until Homeland Security submits - and both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees approve - an expenditure plan for security barriers along U.S. borders. (House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, H.R. __, p. 8) The expenditure plan must include an analysis of a long list of items, including an analysis of every 15-mile segment of fencing or infrastructure and possible alternative means of achieving operational control. (House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, P.12-13.)

Rep. Rogers offered an amendment striking this language, but it was defeated along party lines. He warned the committee, "The onerous consultation requirements and the detailed analysis hurdles are so pervasive, it seems like the bill is determined to actually stop the border fence in its tracks. This is clearly, to me, oversight gone overboard." (Id. CQ Today) The bill provides $775 million for border security fencing. Last year, Congress appropriated $1.2 billion. (See Committee Summary DHS Appropriations).
---------------------
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) is a national, nonprofit, public-interest, membership organization of concerned citizens who share a common belief that our nation's immigration policies must be reformed to serve the national interest. FAIR seeks to improve border security, to stop illegal immigration, and to promote immigration levels consistent with the national interest—more traditional rates of about 300,000 a year.