07.27.23
Bill passes Committee by a vote of 24-4
Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Appropriations today approved the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Homeland Security Appropriations Act, providing funding to strengthen border security, support the U.S. Coast Guard, respond to natural disasters, and combat the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
The measure, which was advanced by a bipartisan vote of 24-4, provides $61.364 billion in discretionary funding, including $3.612 billion in defense funding and $57.764 billion in non-defense funding.
“The Homeland Security appropriations bill makes a significant investment in securing our borders, strengthening Coast Guard capabilities, and combating the transnational criminal organizations that flood our communities with fentanyl and other illegal narcotics,” said Senator Collins. “My thanks to Ranking Member Britt for her work on the bill, and as the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Bill Highlights:
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): $61.4 billion, an increase of $364 million above the FY 2023 enacted level, for border security and immigration enforcement, including more than 1,100 new personnel, and provides necessary resources to combat fentanyl, protect cybersecurity, and invest in Coast Guard resources.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP): $17.7 billion, an increase of $15 million above the FY23 enacted level. The funding supports 700 new CBP Officers to staff ports of entry and 145 new Border Patrol Agents to patrol in-between ports of entry, as well as $263 million for border security technology.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): $8.89 billion, an increase of $127.4 million above the FY23 enacted level.
- $4.5 billion for immigration enforcement, including 145 new enforcement and removal personnel.
- Increase of $250 million to deport noncitizens with final orders of removal.
- Maintains funding for 34,000 ICE detention beds.
Combat Fentanyl Trafficking: $3.1 billion to target transnational criminal organizations engaged in fentanyl trafficking, child exploitation, human trafficking and other illicit activities, including 130 new investigators.
U.S. Coast Guard: $12.6 billion, funding a 5.2% pay raise for Coast Guard military personnel and includes $1.1 billion in funding for critical ship and aircraft investments. The bill fully funds FY24 requirements for the Offshore Patrol Cutter and acquisition of a commercially available icebreaker necessary for near-term presence in the Arctic.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): $2.4 billion to continue efforts to defend the cyber and physical infrastructure that Americans rely on.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): $7.4 billion to protect the nation’s air, rail, and transit systems.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): $25.3 billion, including $20.3 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to respond to Presidentially-declared emergencies.
U.S. Secret Service (USSS): $2.98 billion.
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