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Omnibus funds record number of Border Patrol agents, ICE detention beds Read more: Omnibus funds record number of Border Patrol agents, ICE detention beds.

Omnibus funds record number of Border Patrol agents, ICE detention beds Read more: Omnibus funds record number of Border Patrol agents, ICE detention beds.

Publicado el 16 de enero de 2014
por David Perera en Fierce Homeland Security
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The House approved the $1.012 trillion funding measure (H.R. 3547) by a vote of 359-67; the bill, which consolidates normally separate appropriations acts for federal agencies, is expected to pass the Senate.

The bill funds the Homeland Security Department and its components at an overall level of $39.3 billion in discretionary funding, an amount that`s $336 million less than the previous fiscal year`s enacted level, the House Appropriations Committee says in a DHS summary .

CBP, however, will see an increase of $110.6 million over the enacted fiscal 2013 level, to reach $10.6 billion in appropriations for this fiscal year–allowing for “the highest operational force levels in history 21,370 Border Patrol agents and 23,775 CBP officers.”

The ICE topline will go down a little relative to the fiscal 2013 level to $5.3 billion, a $164 million decline but appropriators stipulate that ICE is to maintain a level of “not less than 34,000 detention beds.” During an April 2013 appropriations subcommittee hearing, then-Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the White House requested funding for the lesser number of 31,800 beds, stating that number would be sufficient to house high-risk detainees and permit cheaper alternatives for monitoring low-risk detainees, such as attaching ankle bracelets. “We ought to be managing the actual detention population to risk, not to an arbitrary number,” she said, noting that each bed costs an estimated $119 daily to maintain. ICE detention facilities have come under criticism for harmful conditions, including sexual assault.

The Transportation Security Administration will receive $4.9 billion under the bill, a decrease of $225 million relative to fiscal 2013. It also stipulates that TSA shouldn`t increase its airport screener staffing level to a level greater than 46,000 full time equivalents, not including the hours worked by part-time employees. During fiscal 2012, TSA had funding for 46,721 screener workforce FTEs, and through the annualized fiscal 2013 continuing resolution, Congress approved funding for 47,358 screener workforce FTEs. Republican lawmakers have pressured TSA to let the private sector take control of airport screening operations, although the agency says it`s not clear whether there`s any cost advantage to doing so. TSA spokesman David Castelveter said that TSA already operates with fewer than 46,000 full-time front-line screeners; the larger FTE numbers referenced in the budget documents include hours worked by part-time staff.

The Coast Guard will get a topline of $10.2 billion, a decrease of $211 million compared to the previous year enacted amount, but $463 million more than called for in White House budget proposal. For acquisition, construction and improvements, the service is set to get $1.376 billion, and to use funds to procure a seventh National Security Cutter and contract for long lead time materials for the eighth (and final) NSC. The omnibus will also fund the production of six Fast Response Cutters–Coast Guard officials have warned that an annual production rate of less than four FRCs would cause the cost of the FRC recapitalization program to rise and put in doubt the service`s ability to buy all 58 planned total FRCs.

The disaster relief fund administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency would receive the requested $6.2 billion. The bill also contains a provision blocking the National Flood Insurance Program, which FEMA also administers, from increasing premiums for homeowners found to reside in an area at higher risk of flooding than previously thought. The delay would last through September.

Update Jan. 16, 4:54 p.m.: Added statement from TSA spokesman David Castelveter on the TSA airport screener omnibus cap.

 

For more information download the following document “The House Appropriations Committee summary for DHS funding” in the download section.

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Estados Unidos

Temática general
[Vigilancia migratoria en Estados Unidos][Vigilancia migratoria en Estados Unidos]

Temática específica
[9][26]



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