President Bush Submits FY 2009 Budget Request to Congress
On February 4, 2008, President Bush transmitted to Congress his fiscal year 2009 budget request which includes $50.5 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, some of which is for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportaion Security Administration.
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(FY 2009 is from October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009.)
President's FY 2009 Budget Request for CBP, TSA
CBP's portion of the President's FY 2009 DHS budget request is the largest agency request under the DHS budget, at $9.49 billion plus $1.45 billion in funding acquired through user fees.
This amount is followed by a request for $7.84 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard, $6.42 billion for TSA, $5.73 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and $5.36 for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Aspects of the President's FY 2009 budget request for CBP and TSA identified in various agency press releases and budget documents include:
TSA's 100% screening of passenger air cargo, Certified Shipper Program, etc. Nearly $100 million for air cargo security inspectors, canine teams, and the Certified Shipper Program to achieve 100% screening of passenger air cargo in 2010.
CBP's radiation portal monitor screening. Provides an additional $35.5 million to hire 295 CBP officers and support positions, to support the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office deployment and operation of Radiation Portal Monitors at ports of entry. This initiative builds on currently operational monitors and further enhances the effectiveness of the program to enable CBP to scan 98% of all containers entering the U.S.
CBP's modernization of land ports of entry. Provides an additional $10 million for the renovation and alteration of CBP-owned land port of entry inspection facilities. This modernization initiative will facilitate the execution of much-needed improvements to locations along the northern and southern border to accommodate increased traffic volume, inspection technology, staffing and security requirements.
CBP's replacement of obsolete non-intrusive imaging systems. Provides an additional $10 million for the replacement, operation and maintenance of small-scale imaging systems that are approaching the end of their service life and the purchase of new NII small-scale technologies to cover identified deficiencies in inspection and detection capabilities in inspections and screenings of international passengers, luggage, and packages and flat mail at mail facilities and consignment centers.
CBP's regulatory staff. Provides an additional $1 million in resources to allow CBP to obtain additional attorneys, economists, paralegals and support personnel to aid in drafting of new regulations, issuing guidance to the private sector, and aid in CBP's compliance with new Presidential mandates.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/07/07 news, 07020705, for BP summary of the President's FY 2008 budget request for DHS.)
President's FY 2009 DHS budget request available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/appendix/dhs.pdf
Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) highlights of the FY 2009 DHS budget request available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/homeland.html
DHS fact sheet on the FY 2009 budget request available (dated 02/04/08) at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1202151112290.shtm
CBP press release on its portion of the FY 2009 DHS budget request (dated 02/05/08) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/bdget_11bil_factsheet.xml
Treasury Dept.'s "General Explanations of the Administration's FY 2009 Revenue Proposals" (often referred to as the "Bluebook") (dated February 2008) available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/tax-policy/library/bluebk08.pdf