In the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 2006 DHS appropriations bill. the conferees noted that these remaining gaps in our air patrol coverage of the northern border should be closed as quickly as possible. Given that the threat from terrorists. drug traffickers. and others who seek to enter our country illegally has not diminished. I believe approximately $12 million of the funds included in Senator BYRDs amendment for air and marine interdiction. operations. maintenance. and procurement should be used by Customs and Border Protection to complete the remaining activities necessary to prepare. equip. and establish the Michigan NBAW site as Secretary Chertoff has indicated he would like to be able to do. In an April 11. 2006. letter to me. Secretary Chertoff indicated that it was his Departments plan to open the Michigan site during the 2007 fiscal year. and the Byrd amendment will enable the Department to stick to its schedule.
Keywords matched
Border Protection