Speech #1090075887

It provides $30.8 billion for the operations and activities of the Department of Homeland Security in fiscal year 2006. an increase of $1.4 billion above fiscal year 2005 and $1.3 billion above the Presidents request. The conference report agreement reflects the DHS organizational structure recommended by the Secretary on July 13. 2005. and does not create any new aviation security fees. This legislation secures our homeland first and foremost by protecting our borders and revitalizing immigration enforcement. It provides nearly twothirds of the overall budget for the Department. $19.1 billion for border protection. immigration enforcement and related activities. This represents an increase of $1.2 billion over funding in 2005 and $490 million over the Presidents request. These funds are used to support cuttingedge technologies for highrisk cargo screening. to expand cargo inspection at foreign ports. and to support a robust revitalization of immigration enforcement along our borders and around our Nation. Among other security enhancing measures. this funding includes $1.8 billion for border security and control. funding an additional 1.000 Border Patrol agents. When combined with this years supplemental appropriations. 1.500 new agents will be hired in 2006. It provides for $3.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. funding an additional 250 criminal investigators and 100 Immigration Enforcement agents. When combined with this years supplemental. 568 new ICE agents and officers will be hired for year 2006. It provides $41 million for border security technology. including surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles. $562 million for Air and Marine Operations to maintain the integrity of our borders and aerospace security. as well as drug interdiction. $94 million for the Institutional Removal Program. including an additional 100 agents. $40 million for implementation of the READ ID Act. $5 million to train State and local officials and officers to enforce immigration laws. $1 billion for immigration detention custody operations. and $135 million for transportation and removal of illegal immigrants. This conference report also recognizes the active role that the Department of Homeland Security must play in disaster mitigation and relief efforts. It prioritizes spending on Federal response capacities as well as increased planning and coordination with the States.