Fact Sheet: U.S. Department of Homeland Security FY 2006 Budget Request Includes Seven Percent Increase
Release Date: 02/07/05 00:00:00
President George W. Bush’s FY 2006 budget request includes a total of $41.1 billion for the Department of Homeland Security. This is an increase of seven percent over the enacted FY 2005 funding, excluding Project BioShield. This year’s request demonstrates the Administration’s continued commitment to making further improvements to the nation’s homeland security.
DHS has made great strides since it was established in March 2003 in integrating the 22 distinct agencies and bureaus, each with its own employees, mission and culture into a single, unified Department whose mission is to secure the homeland. This year’s budget request includes several key initiatives that will allow the Department to integrate and consolidate existing security functions to more effectively serve our overall mission and make America safer.
Overall FY 2006 Budget Highlights
Among the entities with significant budgetary increases are Immigration and Customs Enforcement with a 13.5 percent increase and the U.S. Coast Guard with an increase of more than nine percent.
The budget includes the establishment of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The DNDO will develop, acquire and support the deployment and improvement of a domestic system to detect and report attempts to import, assemble, or transport a nuclear explosive device, fissile material or radiological material intended for illicit use. The DNDO will be located within DHS and will be jointly staffed with representatives from DHS, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with coordination between the Department of Justice, Department of State, intelligence community, and other departments as needed.
The budget proposes to consolidate the various DHS screening activities with the formation of the Office of Screening Coordination and Operations (SCO) within the Border and Transportation Security (BTS) directorate. This new organization would enhance terrorist-related screening through comprehensive, coordinated procedures that detect, identify, track and interdict people, cargo and other entities and objects that pose a threat to homeland security. This effort to integrate existing resources to work more efficiently, brings together several similar ongoing screening efforts under one office, including: United States-Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT); Secure Flight and Crew Vetting; Free and Secure Trade (FAST); NEXUS/Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI); Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); Registered Traveler; Hazardous Materials Trucker Background Checks; and Alien Flight School Checks.
The effectiveness of state and local homeland security assistance can be increased through an approach that closes the most critical gaps in terrorism prevention and preparedness capabilities. Over $2 billion in grants for states and urban areas would be based on assessments of risk and vulnerability, as well as the needs and priorities identified in state and regional homeland security plans. The proposed Targeted Infrastructure Protection program would provide $600 million in integrated grants, enabling DHS to supplement state, local and regional government efforts in their protection of critical national infrastructures such as seaports, mass transit, railways, and energy facilities.
In FY 2006, DHS seeks to consolidate the research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) activities within the DHS Science and Technology (S&T) directorate. This consolidation, in the amount of $127 million, will bring the scientific and engineering personnel and other RDT&E resources of the Department under a single accountable authority.
The Department requests $49.9 million to begin to establish a regional structure for DHS and integrate and identify efficiencies within information technology, facilities, and operations centers across DHS. Of the 22 agencies that were brought together to form the Department, twelve have regional and field structures ranging in size from three to thirty offices distributed throughout the nation.
Aviation security is a shared responsibility of the federal government, airports, airlines and traveling public. Airport screening, one element of aviation security, benefits passengers and air carriers by protecting them from threats. These costs should be borne primarily by the beneficiaries of screening services. The budget proposes raising the fee on a typical one-leg ticket from $2.50 one way to $5.50. For passengers traveling multiple legs on a one-way trip, that fee would increase from the current maximum of $5.00 to $8.00. Fees cover nearly the full cost of aviation screening operations.
The President remains committed to ensure America welcomes the contributions of immigrants. The budget continues funding for the President’s multi-year $540 million initiative enabling U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to reduce the backlog of applications and ensure a six-month processing standard for all applications by the end of 2006.
The budget revolves around five major themes: Revolutionizing the Borders; Strengthening Law Enforcement; Improving National Preparedness and Response; Leveraging Technology; and Creating a 21st Century Department.
Revolutionizing the Borders
- Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Detection Technology is an integral part of the DNDO comprehensive strategy to address the threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism. The budget includes $125 million to purchase additional Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) and pilot advanced next generation RPMs to detect both gamma and neutron radiation at our borders.
- The Container Security Initiative (CSI), which focuses on pre-screening cargo before it reaches our shores, will have a preventative and deterrence effect on the use of global containerized shipping of WMD and other terrorist equipment. Egypt, Chile, India, Philippines, Venezuela, Bahamas and Honduras have been identified as pilots for screening in FY 2006. An increase of $5.4 million over FY 2005 is included in CBP’s budget for CSI, for a total request of $138.8 million.
- CBP Targeting Systems aid in identifying high-risk cargo and passengers. The budget includes a total of $28.3 million for these system initiatives, which includes a $5.4 million increase.
- America’s Shield Initiative (ASI) enhances electronic surveillance capabilities along the northern and southern land borders of the U.S. by improving the sensor and video surveillance equipment deployed to guard against the entry of illegal aliens, terrorists, WMDs and contraband into the U.S. The budget includes $51.1 million, an increase of $19.8 million.
- US-VISIT, which is proposed for consolidation within the SCO, increases from $340 million to $390 million. The increase will provide for the accelerated deployment of US-VISIT at the land borders and enhance access for border personnel to immigration, criminal and terrorist information.
- The Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) focuses on partnerships all along the entire supply chain, from the factory floor, to foreign vendors, to land borders and seaports. The budget includes an increase of $8.2 million, for a total amount of $54.3 million. The increase will enhance our ability to conduct additional supply chain security validations.
- Border Patrol Staffing would increase along the southwest border and coastal areas, in part to replace some Border Patrol agents shifted to the northern border as required by the Patriot Act. An increase of 210 agents and $36.9 million is included in the budget for the Border Patrol. This increases the Border Patrol Agents to 10,949.
- Long Range Radar technology is used by the Office of Air and Marine Operations to detect and intercept aircraft attempting to avoid detection while entering the U.S. CBP and the Department of Defense will assume responsibility for operating and maintaining these systems from the FAA beginning in FY 2006. CBP’s share is $44.2 million in the budget.
Strengthening Law Enforcement
- The Armed Helicopter for Homeland Security Project increases by $17.4 million in the budget. These funds will provide equipment and aircraft modifications to establish armed helicopter capability at five USCG Air Stations. This will provide the USCG and DHS with the tools needed to respond quickly and forcefully to emergency maritime threats. A total of $19.9 million is included in the budget for this project.
- The Integrated Deepwater System increases by $242 million to a total of $966 million in FY 2006 to continue the acquisition of the USCG’s Maritime Security Cutter–Large, complete design of the Maritime Security Cutter–Medium, promote completion of the Multi-Mission Cutter Helicopter (re-engineered and electronically upgraded HH-65 helicopter) and significantly improve fixed and rotary wing aircraft capabilities. These upgrades will increase awareness and are crucial for an integrated, interoperable border and port security system.
- The Response Boat-Medium Project increases the effort to replace the USCG’s 41-foot utility boats and other large non-standard boats with assets more capable of meeting all of the USCG’s multi-mission operational requirements by $10 million. A total of $22 million is proposed in the budget for this effort.
- The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) seeks a total of $688.9 million. This funding will allow ICE to protect air security and promote public confidence in our civil aviation system.
- Detention and Removal within ICE increases by $176 million for detention and removal activities. Total increases for this program are approximately 19 percent above the FY 2005.
- Temporary Worker Worksite Enforcement increases will more than double the resources available for worksite enforcement including employer audits, investigations of possible violations and criminal case presentations. An increase of $18 million is in the budget.
- Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO)/Crew Member Self-Defense (CMSD) Training is increased by $11 million in FY 2006 for a total of $36.3 million. This allows for the expansion of the semi-annual firearm re-qualification program for FFDO personnel and to fund the first full year of the CMSD training program.
Improving National Preparedness and Response
- Federal assistance for our nation’s first responder community. The budget includes $3.6 billion for grants, training, and technical assistance administered by the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP). This funding will support state and local agencies as they equip, train, exercise, and assess preparedness for emergencies regardless of scale or cause.
- Enhanced Catastrophic Disaster Planning is budgeted at $20 million for FEMA to work with states and localities, as well as other federal agencies, to develop and implement plans that will improve the ability to respond to and to recover from catastrophic disasters.
- The Office of Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) within the S&T Directorate will allow the Department to expand its leadership role in interoperable communications that could be used by every first responder agency in the country. The OIC has currently identified three program areas: communications, equipment, and training. With $20.5 million in FY 2006, the OIC will plan and begin to establish the training and equipment programs, as well as continue existing communication interoperability efforts through the SAFECOM Program.
- Replacement of the USCG’s High Frequency (HF) Communications System, funded at $10 million in the budget, will replace unserviceable, shore-side, high power high frequency transmitters, significantly improving long-range maritime safety and security communications.
- The Rescue 21 project is funded at $101 million in the budget to continue recapitalizing the Coast Guard's coastal zone communications network. This funding will complete system infrastructure and network installations in 14 regions and begin development of regional designs for the remaining 11 regions.
Leveraging Technology
- Low Volatility Agent Warning System is a new FY 2006 initiative totaling $20 million. Funding is included to develop a system that will serve as the basis for a warning and identification capability against a set of chemical agents whose vapor pressure is too low to be detected by conventional measures.
- Counter-MAN Portable Air Defense Systems (C-MANPADS) funding is increased by $49 million to a total of $110 million in the budget. This program will continue to research the viability of technical countermeasures for commercial aircraft against the threat of shoulder-fired missiles.
- Cyber Security is enhanced in the budget to augment a 24/7 cyber threat watch, warning, and response capability that would identify emerging threats and vulnerabilities and coordinate responses to major cyber security incidents. An increase of $5 million is proposed in the budget for this effort, bringing the program total to $73.3 million.
- Secure Flight/Crew Vetting requests an increase of $49 million to field the system developed and tested in FY 2005. The funds will support testing, information systems, connectivity to airlines and screen systems and daily operations. This also includes an increase of $3.3 million for crew vetting.
- The budget includes $174 million to complete installation of High Speed Operational Connectivity (Hi-SOC) to passenger and baggage screening checkpoints to improve management of screening system performance.
- Emerging Checkpoint Technology is enhanced by $43.7 million in FY 2006 to direct additional resources to improve checkpoint explosives screening. This assures that TSA is on the cutting edge, ahead of the development of increasingly well-disguised prohibited items. This proposed increase will result in investing more than $100 million invested in FY 2005 and FY 2006 for new technology to ensure improved screening of all higher risk passengers.
- Homeland Secure Data Network (HSDN) includes $37 million in the budget. These funds will streamline and modernize the classified data capabilities in order to facilitate high quality and high value classified data communication and collaboration.
- The Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC) funding is increased by $26.3 million bringing its FY 2006 funded level to $61.1 million. This includes an increase of $13.4 million for the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) and an increase of $12.9 million to enhance HSOC systems and operations.
Creating a 21st Century Department
- Electronically Managing enterprise resources for government effectiveness and efficiency (eMerge2) funding of $30 million in the budget to continue implementation of a DHS-wide solution that delivers accurate, relevant and timely resource management information to decision makers. By delivering access to critical information across all components, the Department will be able to better support its many front-line activities.
- MAX HR funding of $53 million is to continue the design and deployment of a new human resources system. As outlined in final regulations, issued jointly on February 1, 2005, by Secretary Ridge and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Kay Coles James, the MAXHR system provides greater flexibility and accountability in the way employees are paid, developed, evaluated, afforded due process and represented by labor organizations. The goal is a 21st century personnel system that enhances mission-essential flexibility and preserves core civil service principles and the merit system.
- The Information Sharing and Collaboration (ISC) program will affect the policy, procedures, technical, process, cultural, and organizational aspects of information sharing and collaboration, including coordinating ISC policy with other federal agencies, drafting technical and operational needs statements, performing policy assessments and analyzing new requirements. The total funding for FY 2006 will be $16.5 million.
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Related Information
February 7, 2005
This page was last reviewed/modified on 02/07/05 00:00:00.
