For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 18, 2004
Providing the Resources Necessary to Protect America
Today's Presidential Action
- Today, President Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act of 2005 to provide much-needed funds for our
Nation's homeland security activities. This bill contains most of the
FederalGovernment's investment in homeland security. With enactment of
the remainder of the President's FY 2005 Budget, President Bush will
have nearly tripled funding for homeland security activities since
taking office.
- This bill reflects the President's commitment to defend America by making sure the Federal Government and State and local first
responders have the resources they need to prevent terrorist attacks within
the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and
minimize damage from attacks that might occur.
Background on Today's Presidential Action
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act signed
today provides $28.9 billion in net discretionary spending, a $1.8
billion increase (6.6%) over 2004, and a $14.9 billion increase
(106%) over 2001 levels.
- Including Project BioShield, mandatory, and fee-funded programs, a
total of $40.7 billion will be available to DHS in Fiscal Year
2005.
- The Act includes $4 billion for State and local assistance programs -
a 765% ($3.5 billion) increase over 2001 levels. This includes a 19%
($135 million) increase for the Urban Area Security Initiative
(UASI) over 2004.
- The UASI distributes terrorism preparedness grants to urban
areas based on threat levels, instead of using arbitrary formulas.
- Other State and local assistance programs funded by the
appropriations act include $150 million for port security grants,
$150 million for rail/transit security grants, neither of which
were funded in 2001; and $715 million for grants to fire departments, a
$615 million increase over 2001.
- In addition, the Act provides for other key programs and initiatives
vital to protecting America and reducing our vulnerability to
terrorist threats, including:
- $8.5 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a 7% ($556 million) increase over
2004. This spending level funds programs to help secure our Nation's
borders while facilitating the legitimate flow of commerce, including
full funding for:
- The Container Security Initiative to
pre-screen cargo containers from 26 ports representing more than 80% of
inbound cargo to the United States. With the legislation signed by the
President today, spending on cargo security, screening, and inspections
will total nearly $2.9 billion, an 80% ($1.3 billion) increase over
pre-9/11 levels; and
- The Customs-Trade Partnership Against
Terrorism, which facilitates partnerships between the Federal
Government and American importers to improve security along the entire
supply chain?from the factory floor, to foreign vendors, to land
borders and seaports.
- $340 million for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status
Indicator Technology program (US-VISIT), an automated entry-exit system
designed to expedite the arrival and departure of legitimate travelers,
while making it more difficult for those intending to do us harm to
enter our Nation. This is a $12 million increase over 2004.
- $5.1 billion for the Transportation Security Administration,
including aviation security fees, a $679 million increase over 2004.
This includes $475 million for explosives detection system baggage
screening equipment and installation, a 19% ($75 million) increase over
2004.
- $6.3 billion for the Coast Guard, an 8.6% ($500 million) increase
over 2004, and a 66% ($2.5 billion) increase over 2001 levels. Among
funding for other programs, the appropriations bill includes $724
million for the Deepwater multi-year acquisition program to replace
Coast Guard ships, aircraft, and communications systems.
- $3.1 billion for the Emergency Preparedness and Response
Directorate, a 7% ($198 million) increase over 2004. This
includes:
- Funding for programs that support the Nation's ability to
prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from
natural and man made disasters.
- $2 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund, a $53 million
increase over base 2004 funding. This fund allows DHS to
provide support to states for response and recovery to
unforeseen emergencies and natural disasters.
- $894 million for the Information Analysis and Infrastructure
Protection Directorate (IAIP), $60 million above the 2004 level.
- The IAIP is the focal point of the Department's efforts to assess and
protect the Nation's critical infrastructures, including cyberspace,
from terrorism.
- The 2005 funding level will allow the IAIP to
identify critical assets and send IAIP teams to conduct site visits to
assist operators and owners in identifying and reducing
vulnerabilities.
- $1.1 billion for the Science and Technology Directorate, a $203
million increase over 2004. This includes $593 million to develop
technologies that counter threats from chemical, biological, nuclear
and radiological weapons, and high explosives; and $61 million to
continue the development of innovative counter-measures to protect
commercial aircraft against man-portable air defense systems
(MANPADS).
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