Bill Includes Border Security Funding

Washington, DC, Jun 6, 2006 - U.S. Representative John Carter (TX-31), a member of the Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, supported House passage of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2007. This bill will help secure our border and ports, as well as strengthen federal response to natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

“In a post-9/11 world, we must ensure that we provide our nation with the resources to prevent another terrorist attack on our homeland,” Congressman Carter said. “Securing our nation’s borders is an urgent homeland security issue, and this bill provides critical funding to increase border security personnel and programs. I am actively working on initiatives to stop the tidal wave of illegal immigrants crossing our borders daily. This funding bill is an important step in supporting efforts along the border.”

“Our nation’s ports handle approximately 11 million shipping containers each year, and this bill funds important port security initiatives that will help improve our nation’s safety and stop threats before they reach American soil,” said Congressman Carter. “I am also pleased that funding is provided to improve our disaster preparedness in the wake of the lessons learned during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”

This appropriations bill will help protect our nation’s borders by providing $19.6 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities, including $3.98 billion for the Secure Border Initiative. The Secure Border Initiative is designed, among other things, to eliminate the practice of “catch and release” and replace it with a practice of “catch and return.” This funding legislation also includes more than $6 billion for desperately-needed additional Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

The security at our ports will also be enhanced through the $4.185 billion allotted for port, container, and cargo security.

This bill also provides $3.2 billion for first responders, including grants to high threat areas, firefighters, and emergency management. It also includes $6.5 billion for the Preparedness Directorate and FEMA to prepare for and respond to disasters or terrorist attacks.