Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) voted in favor of H.R. 2360, the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06). The House bill provides $30.85 billion for operations and activities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in FY06, an increase of $1.37 billion above the fiscal year 2005 (FY05) enacted levels.

The bill provides $19.4 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities, an increase of $1.9 billion over FY05.

“Voting in favor of the FY06 Homeland Security Appropriations bill indicates that the House is serious about making significant improvements to our border security,” stated Congressman Michael C. Burgess. “We already have many important immigration laws on our books, this bill will help provide the vital funds to enforce them.”

These funds support next generation technology to screen high-risk cargo coming through our land and seaports; an expansion of cargo inspection at foreign ports; improvements to supply chain security; maritime security, and support a robust revitalization of immigration enforcement efforts both along our borders and within the interior of the nation. Specific funding includes:
• $1.61 billion for border security and control, providing for an additional 1,000 Border Patrol Agents; when combined with the pending FY05 Supplemental, 1,500 new Border Patrol agents will be hired in FY06;
• $3.2 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), providing for an additional 150 criminal investigators and 200 Immigration Enforcement Agents; when combined with the pending FY05 Supplemental, 568 new ICE agents and officers will be hired in FY06;
• $61 million for border security technology, including surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles;
• $489 million for Air and Marine Operations for border and airspace security;
• $20 million for replacement Border Patrol aircraft.
• $166 million for immigration case management;
“With its long border with Mexico, Texas is consistently battling the flow of illegal immigrants across the border,” commented Michael Burgess. “I believe this bill marks the beginning of a stronger, nation-wide commitment to tightening border security.”
H.R. 2360 came to the House floor for a vote only after passing by voice vote in the House Appropriations Committee. The Committee had also issued a threat to withhold funding from the Department of Homeland Security until the Department provided more justification for its programs.

“Part of the job of Congress is to ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely,” remarked Congressman Michael Burgess. “My vote for this bill echoes the sentiments of the committee.”