WASHINGTON (17 March) -  U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting information on the distribution and oversight of the nearly $3 billion in stimulus funding provided to the Department under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The letter highlights the need to ensure that stimulus funding is spent appropriately and is not provided to employers that employ individuals in the United States illegally. In addition, the letter seeks to make certain that funding related to port and border security technology will be spent to meet the needs of enforcement personnel. Many of the provisions of the Act require the Secretary to provide expenditure plans to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee by April 9, 2009.

"The Department must work to ensure that these funds are distributed and used in a manner that best enhances security and most efficiently and effectively stimulates the economy," the letter said. "I respectfully request that you also provide these plans to the Committee on Homeland Security to better enable our oversight efforts."

To read the letter in its entirety click here.