The House budget shortchanges homeland security programscutting them by up to $488 million this year and up to $6.1 billion over 5 years from the amount needed to keep up with inflation. In December. when the 9/11 Commission issued its final report card. it gave the Bush Administration and this Congress a series of Cs. Ds. and Fs on many areas in homeland securityincluding border security. The only thing we have given border security is promises. but no money. We know generally how much it would cost for the recommendations the 911 Commission said was the very least we must do to make a dent in illegal immigration: $375 million for the detention beds the 9/11 Commission determined we need. $340 million for the Border Patrol agents the 9/11 Commission determined we need. Even with the VA treating more than 144.000 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. the House budget cuts veterans health care by $6 billion over 5 years. and increases TRICARE health care premiums for more than 3 million military retirees and their families. Despite record enrollment growth from preK to college. the House budget makes the largest cuts in education in 23 years and provides $15.4 billion less in funding than promised by the No Child Left Behind Act.
Keywords matched
Border Patrol border security illegal immigration