June 25, 2009 - Homeland Security Funding Bill Passes House

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June 25, 2009 - Homeland Security Funding Bill Passes House

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) voted Wednesday night with colleagues to pass the Homeland Security Appropriations bill that will fund the department for fiscal year 2010. The House version of the bill includes two important homeland security programs that impact the Central Coast.

"I have always said we can't address homeland security without considering hometown security," Rep. Farr said following the vote. "We can't guarantee a safe nation unless we work toward safety in our communities, and this bill moves us in that direction. In addition to border, port and airline security, this bill includes vital grant programs to support our local first responders and ensure disaster relief programs are fully funded."

Local projects included in the House version of the bill:

$31 million is included in the bill for continuing grants to a variety of national programs. Included in that are funds for the Naval Postgraduate School's homeland security Master's degree program, the only such program in the United States supported by the Department of Homeland Security.

$2 million is included in the bill to fund the California Homeland Security Consortium, a project spearheaded by the Naval Postgraduate School and made up of more than 20 academic and government organizations and private sector firms on the Central Coast.

$2 million is included in the bill to fund the California Homeland Security Consortium, a project spearheaded by the Naval Postgraduate School and made up of more than 20 academic and government organizations and private sector firms on the Central Coast.

In addition to these local projects, the legislation includes a wide range of other vital programs including:

$10 billion for Customs and Border Protection, including funds for 20,000 Border Patrol agents, an increase of 6,000 over 2006.
$1 billion to purchase and install explosive detection systems at airports nationwide.
$950 million for State Homeland Security Grants, used to meet the needs of first responders.
$380 million for Assistance to Firefighter Grants to fund firehouses nationwide.

The bill, which passed Wednesday evening by a vote of 389-37, awaits Senate consideration. Once the Senate acts, the two versions will be reconciled, then sent to the president for signature. This is the second of 12 appropriations bills that will be considered by Congress.

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