House Passes FY 2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (Part II - Final - TSA, ICE)

(Although the House has passed H.R. 2638, it is not yet in effect. Generally, in order for a bill to be implemented, identical versions of that bill must be passed by both the House and Senate and then the bill must be approved (enacted) by the President.)

This is Part II, the final part of a two-part series of summaries on H.R. 2638 and highlights the appropriations related to TSA and ICE. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/12/07 news, 07071205, for Part I regarding CBP.)

Transportation Security Administration

According to a House Appropriations Committee press release, H.R. 2638 would provide TSA $6.635 billion for transportation security.

Air cargo inspections and screening. H.R. 2638 would change the Security Directives in effect as of the date of enactment of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2005 which called for the tripling of the percentage of cargo inspected on passenger aircraft, to instead call for the doubling of the percentage of such cargo to be inspected.

H.R. 2683 would also require existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners to be used to screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft to the greatest extent practicable at each airport until new technologies are available (see below).

The following amounts would apply to air cargo (partial list):

$78 million to double the amount of cargo inspected on passenger aircraft;

$849 million for the procurement, installation and maintenance of explosive detection equipment to protect commercial aircraft, allowing TSA to address the most pressing needs identified in their recent aviation baggage screening study;

$49,490,000 for the development and implementation of the screening programs of the Office of Transportation Threat Assessment Credentialing.

Research and procurement of new air cargo screening technologies. The Secretary of Homeland Security would be required to research, develop and procure new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft at the earliest possible date.

Quarterly air cargo inspection statistics required. TSA would also be required to submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a report on air cargo inspection statistics by airport and air carrier, including any reason for not complying with the directive to double the amount of inspected cargo on passenger aircraft, within 45 days after the end of the quarter.

Recovered TSA funds to be used for air cargo screening equipment. Certain funds from previous fiscal years that were appropriated or transferred to TSA that were recovered or deobligated would be available only for the procurement or installation of explosive detection systems for air cargo, baggage, and check point screening programs, provided that quarterly reports on any recovered or deobligated funds were submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Surface transportation security. H.R. 2638 would provide $41,413,000 for TSA surface transportation security activities.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Forced child labor. According to H.R. 2638, of the amount appropriated to ICE for salaries and expenses, $15,770,000 would be for activities to enforce laws against forced child labor in FY 2008.

US-VISIT. H.R. 2638 would provide $462,000,000 for the development of the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) project.

Of the funds appropriated for the US-VISIT project, $232,000,000 could not be obligated until the House and Senate Appropriations Committees receive and approve an expenditure plan that meets certain requirements.

H.R. 2638, as passed by the House, available by query at http://thomas.loc.gov/

House Appropriations Committee press release (dated 06/15/07) available at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/HomelandHP.pdf