Border Security First Act of 2007

The Border Security First Act of 2007 (H.R.2638) was a bill in the 110th Congress "making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes." (Official title.)

Current status


Bill summary

 * Authorizes $50 million to be appropriated for competitive grants to law enforcement agencies in border communities with populations totaling less than 50,000 to provide additional resources to address criminal activity along the border (Sec. 602).


 * $3 billion for the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish operational control of 100 percent of the international land border between the United States and Mexico, including the hiring of 23,000 full-time border agents and the construction of 300 miles of vehicle barriers, the 700 linear miles of fencing required by the Secure Fence Act of 2006, the establishment of 105 ground-based radar and camera towers, and the deployment of four unmanned aerial vehicles (sec. 1002).


 * $8.84 billion for United States Customs and Border Protection, including $1 billion for border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology.


 * $4.43 billion for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


 * $6.39 billion for the Transportation Security Administration.


 * $8.32 billion for the Coast Guard.


 * $1.40 billion for the U.S. Secret Service.


 * $7.21 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including $3.13 billion for state and local programs and $1.70 billion for disaster relief.

Key votes
Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $40.42 billion to the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008.



Supporters

 * International Association of Fire Fighters

Articles and resources
The New York Times' article House Passes Security Bill That President Opposes June 16, 2007