Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008 was intended to provide funding for the activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year (FY) 2008.

Details
Overall, the bill provides $37.4 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, including funding for a border security fence, a provision successfully put in by Republicans members. Specifically, the bill spends over $3 billion on grants to states for various first responder needs and over $5 billion on air and surface transportation security needs. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is ordered to double the amount of airplane cargo inspected. A $1 billion surplus of funds for specific in-bound cargo security is to be used with no further funding until Congress received a more detailed report on spending. $1 billion is added to border fencing and infrastructure. The measure also provides $8.8 billion for customs and border protection and $6.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, both more than requested by President Bush, while providing only $8.4 billion for the Coast Guard, less than requested. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would receive $7.4 billion, a significant increase over what was requested by the president and what FEMA received for FY2007. The bill also requires the Secretary of DHS to communicate directly to employees their responsibility to cooperate with Inspector General inquiries. The IG had previously reported problems obtaining information from the Department.



House
On June 15, 2007, the bill passed the House by a vote of 269-150. As per an agreement between Democratic and Republican leaders, the measure included no earmarks, but they could be added later in a conference committee. 

Senate
The Senate is expected to consider the spending bill in late July 2007.

External resources

 * TheWeekInCongress