Aderholt Statement on Passage of Fiscal Year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
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Aderholt Statement on Passage of Fiscal Year 2012 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Legislation Delivers Critical Cuts, Targeted Increases and Robust Oversight
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the House Committee on Appropriations, today released the following statement after H.R. 2017, the Fiscal Year 2012 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations bill, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by 231-188:
“Homeland security and fiscal discipline are both clear national priorities, and the bill passed today accomplishes both,” said Aderholt. “H.R. 2017 recognizes that more government and more money does not necessarily equal more security. The bill addresses the continued need for robust national security and disaster recovery, while also considering the unquestioned need for fiscal restraint and prioritizing taxpayers’ limited dollars toward vital security programs that will have an immediate impact on our nation’s safety and security.”
“H.R. 2017 fully funds frontline personnel, such as the Border Patrol, CBP officers, ICE agents, Coast Guard military personnel, and Secret Service agents, as well as fully funding all intelligence, watchlisting, and threat targeting functions. It increases disaster relief funds, providing vital resources to help our communities recover from the many recent vicious natural disasters. And finally reforms underperforming programs and implements robust oversight provisions, insisting upon results for each and every taxpayer dollar appropriated going forward. ”
“The passage of H.R. 2017 marks a great step toward fiscal responsibility and thank Chairman Rogers for his leadership and commitment to reducing spending and providing an open and transparent appropriations process. I am hopeful my colleagues in the Senate will take swift action and look forward to H.R. 2017’s final passage,” concluded Aderholt.
FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill Approved Amendment Summary
LaTourette (R-OH) /Pascrell (D-NJ) The amendment increases FEMA state and local firefighter assistance grants by $320 million, offset by a $63.3 million reduction in the Office of the Secretary of DHS, a $117.5 million reduction in the Office of the Undersecretary for Management, and a reduction of $139.2 million reduction in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 333-87.
Royce (R-CA) The amendment cuts funding in the Office of the Secretary at DHS by $1 million, and increases Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by $1 million for the 287g program, which helps state and local entities investigate, detain, and arrest aliens on civil and criminal grounds. The amendment passed on a vote of 268-151.
Broun (R-GA) The amendment cuts $600,000 from the Office of the Under Secretary for Management, and uses the funds to reduce the deficit. The amendment passed on a voice vote.
Poe (R-TX)The amendment increases funding for border security cell phone communications systems by $10 million, offset by a cut to the Office of the Under Secretary for Management. The amendment passed on a vote of 327-93.
King (R-IA)The amendment urges Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to remove the "lookout posts" and "spotter locations" located along the border.The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
King (R-IA)The amendment will help preserve the "Shadow Wolves" – Native American Border Protection officers who enforce immigration laws primarily on reservations. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Clarke (D-MI) The amendment strikes the provision in the bill that allows certain funds under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to be targeted to the top 10 highest risk urban areas. The amendment passed on a vote of 273-150.
Richardson (CA) The amendment decreased, and then increased, the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund by $100 million in order to highlight the importance of the funding. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Honda (D-CA)The amendment strikes language in the legislation prohibiting funds from being used for immigrant integration grants. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Sessions (R-TX)The amendment strikes Section 514 of the bill, which prevents commercial activities in the government from competing with the private sector. The amendment passed on a vote of 218-204.
Lummis (R-WY) The amendment strikes language that allows the transfer of funds from DHS to the Department of the Interior for environmental mitigation efforts related to border security activities. The amendment passed on a voice vote of 238-177.
Carter (R-TX) The amendment prohibits the use of funds in the bill from being used for the Climate Change Adaption Task Force of the Department of Homeland Security. The amendment passed on a vote of 242-180.
Poe (R-TX) The amendment prohibits funds from being used in activities contrary to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Poe (R-TX)The amendment prohibits the use of funds to parole an alien into the United States, or grant deferred action of a final order of removal, for any reason other than on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Price (D-NC) –The amendment prohibits funds from being used to enforce requirements for cost sharing, spending restrictions, and program requirements on FEMA’s firefighter grants (SAFER), making the program into an operating subsidy for firefighter retention. The amendment passed on a vote of 264-157.
Scalise (LA) The amendment prohibits funds from being used to require an approved Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applicant to personally appear at a designated enrollment center for the purpose of TWIC issuance, renewal, or activation. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
Engel (D-NY) The amendment prohibits funds from being used by DHS to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum-Federal Fleet Performance dated May 24, 2011 – which expands the use of alternative fuel vehicles by the federal government. The amendment was adopted on a voice vote.
King (R-IA)The amendment prohibits the use of funds from being made available to various individual entities that may have ties to the group formally known as ACORN. The amendment passed on a vote of 251-168.
Cravaak (R-MN) – The amendment prohibits the use of funds in violation of provisions in existing law related to the mandatory detention of criminal aliens. The amendment passed on a vote of 289-131.
Amash (R-MI) – The amendment would prohibit funding for political appointees to block, withhold or delay Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The amendment passed on a vote of 257-164.