NEWS
House Appropriations Committee
Chairman Hal Rogers
Website address: http://appropriations.house.gov/
For Immediate Release: July 14, 2015
Appropriations Committee Passes Fiscal Year 2016 Homeland Security Bill
Bill prioritizes security operations and border enforcement, strengthens immigration activities, and implements strong oversight to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable to the American people
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Appropriations Committee today approved the fiscal year 2016 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill on a vote of 32-17. The bill provides funds to secure the nation’s borders and enforce immigration laws, identify and protect against cyber threats, stop transnational criminals who smuggle drugs and people into the U.S., respond to natural disasters, and fight terrorism. In addition, the bill improves oversight of DHS to hold the agency accountable to the American people.
The legislation provides $39.3 billion in discretionary funding for DHS, a decrease of $337 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2.1 billion below the President’s request. The bill does not contain funds to implement the President’s executive action on immigration, and specifically bars the use of funds for these activities for the duration of legal proceedings on the issue.
Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers made the following statement on the bill:
“Safeguarding our homeland, strengthening our borders, enforcing our immigration laws, and protecting our people from terrorism and natural disasters – these are the core missions of this legislation,” Chairman Rogers said. “Now – as we face growing threats from groups like ISIL, domestic terrorists, and other perils yet unknown – we must remain vigilant. This bill will ensure an active and well-equipped frontline, a secure border, and strong intelligence and cybersecurity operations that are paramount to keeping our nation safe.”
Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman John Carter also commented on the bill.
“I am proud that our bill focuses first and foremost on border security, law enforcement and fiscal responsibility,” Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman John Carter said. “This bill rejects the President’s attempt to undermine our laws and uses the tax payers’ dollars in a fiscally responsible manner by promoting reforms within DHS, and reducing ineffectual offices and programs. Additionally, this bill requires the President to enforce current law as it is written, not as he would like to interpret it by executive order. We must provide for our nation’s security, and enforcement of the law, while exercising fiscal restraint, which is what this bill offers.”
The following amendments to the bill were approved by the full committee today:
Rep. Carter – The amendment made technical and other noncontroversial changes and additions to the report. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Rep. Rooney – The amendment prohibits funding for TSA uniforms that include badges that resemble law-enforcement badges. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Rep. Culberson – The amendment requires ICE to detain Priority 1 and Priority 2 illegal aliens. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Rep. Yoder – The amendment prohibits certain state and local grants from going to “Sanctuary Cities.” The amendment was adopted on a vote of 28-21.
Rep. Aderholt– The amendment restates current law prohibiting federal funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to provide for abortions, except in certain life-threatening cases, rape, and incest. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 31-18.
Rep. Young – The amendment withholds $5 million in funding for ICE until ICE completes a congressional briefing on the status of local communities participating in the Priority Enforcement Program. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
The bill was approved on a vote of 32-17.
For the text of the bill, please visit:
http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/bills-114hr-fc-ap-fy2016-ap00-hsecurity.pdf
For the bill report, please visit:
http://appropriations.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hrpt-114-hr-fy2016-hsecurity.pdf
For a summary, please visit:
http://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394301
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