FY '17 DHS Spending Bill Clears Senate Subcommittee

The Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee on May 24 approved its fiscal 2017 funding bill, which would provide $11.2 billion for CBP, $500 million less than what the White House requested, according to a committee press release (here). A committee spokesman said the lower figure stems from the subcommittee's decision to diverge from the White House's request to switch the approximately $300 million biometric identity management program from the jurisdiction of the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) to CBP. The program will remain with NPPD, the spokesman said. The reduction also does not include requested funding for "increases in administrative personnel CBP will not have on board," he said. But the $11.2 will support efforts to hire 23,775 CBP officers, as well as the tactical infrastructure, technology, and aircraft needed to support operations at borders and ports of entry, another committee release says (here). The legislation would also fund recapitalization of non-intrusive inspection equipment, procurement of additional surveillance systems, replacement light-duty enforcement helicopters, and enhancements to drone capabilities.