Thread: HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY BILL HINTS AT IMM OVERHAUL

HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY SPENDING BILL HINTS AT IMMIGRATION OVERHAUL

The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee approved a $42.6 billion fiscal 2010 draft spending bill this week that adheres closely to President Obama’s bottom line, but differs in the specifics of several programs. The exceptions include a provision to extend E-Verify, the government’s electronic system for employers to check workers’ legal status, for two years rather than the three years sought by Obama. The Obama administration has signaled to lawmakers that it wants to begin an immigration overhaul in the next two years, although exactly when remains uncertain.

E-Verify is expected to be a central component in any immigration debate, and other committees will be weighing in as well. The draft bill approved by voice vote Monday would provide a 6.5 percent increase over fiscal 2009. It comes in at about 1 percent less than Obama’s request. The bill would fund the REAL ID secure driver’s license standardization program at Obama’s requested level of $25 million within the Citizenship and Immigration Services budget.

Among the Homeland Security Department’s component agencies:
• Customs and Border Patrol would receive $10 billion, $147 million more than fiscal 2009 and $82 million less than the Obama request.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement would receive $5.4 billion, $439 million more than fiscal 2009 and $30 million less than the Obama request.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency would receive $7.4 billion, $390 million more than fiscal 2009 and $118 million more than the Obama request.
• Transportation Security Administration would receive $7.7 billion, $712 million more than fiscal 2009 and $85 million less than the Obama request.
• Coast Guard would receive $10 billion, $607 million more than fiscal 2009 and $239 million more than the Obama request.


Posted on Tuesday, June 09, 2009




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Just wish I could have been a fly on the wall in that committee meeting, at least a talking fly. Why would ICE and CPB be getting millions less than Obama requested? I am beginning to wonder if Obama is the real worry about border enforcement, as it seems to be Congress.

Seems as though FEMA hit the jackpot. I wonder why?