Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.
key House committee panel criticized the Department of Homeland Security before ap-proving a $32.1 billion spending plan for the agency, the Associated Press reported.
The Appropriations Committee approved the agency’s budget by voice vote for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 after and defeating Democratic proposals to boost funding for port and border security, AP said.
The Republican-backed plan that was passed would devote $19.6 billion to border security and immigration enforcement programs, a 9% increase over current funding, AP reported.
The plan includes:
• $1.7 billion for ship cargo inspection and trade operations, combined with a mandate to double the amount of cargo currently screened;
• $178 million for nuclear detectors;
• $139 million to expand security programs to 58 foreign seaports; and
• $200 million in port grants for security programs, half of what would be required annually under a port security bill that the House passed earlier this month.
Separately, the Bush administration was expected to send Congress details soon about $1.9 billion in new border security funds requested in his Monday night address on immigration, which called for using National Guard troops on the U.S. border with Mexico, AP said.
