FACTBOX-Items in Homeland Security spending bill
Tue Oct 20, 2009 5:42pm EDT

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved $42.8 billion to fund the Department of Homeland Security for the current fiscal year, a 6.6 percent boost over last year's budget.

The measure now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign into law.

Following are some aspects of the bill:

* Allows the transfer of foreign terrorism suspects held at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison to the United States to face trial, but would prevent them from being held indefinitely or released on U.S. soil. [N20454677]

* Allows the Pentagon to block the release of photos that show the abuse of prisoners.

* Terminates the LORAN-C navigation system, which has been rendered obsolete by the Global Positioning System.

* Includes $60 million to help states improve drivers-license security standards under the REAL ID program.

* Includes $800 million to improve security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border.

* Includes $73 million for counternarcotics efforts along the border, including systems to scan for guns, money and other contraband headed south to Mexico.

* $1.5 billion to deport illegal aliens currently being held or wanted on criminal charges.

* $135 million to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants.

* $374 million for the US-VISIT program, which uses biometrics to track those visiting the United States.

* Extends the E-Verify program, which allows employers to check the immigration status of prospective employees, for another three years.

* $778 million for explosives-detection systems at airports.

* $903 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which responds to natural and manmade disasters.

$ 1 billion for research on security topics like explosives, cybersecurity and air cargo security.

* $397 million to bolster the U.S. government's computer defenses and coordinate private-sector cybersecurity efforts.

* $950 million for local emergency-response departments.

* $887 million for antiterrorism efforts for cities.

* $300 million for rail security and $300 million for port security.

* $810 million for local fire departments.

* Includes $266.7 million in earmarks for lawmakers' pet projects in their home districts.

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