Washington, D.C. - The final version of a Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today included important funds for our Northern Border. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for the bill and committed to pushing for more funding and attention for the Northern Border, especially in preparation for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“For many in the Northwest, border security is backyard security,” Larsen said. “This homeland security bill will aid our efforts to stop illegal traffic at our Northern Border without slowing commerce and travel.”

The final version of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (H.R. 2360) included $1.8 billion for border security between points of entry. This funding, coupled with previous funding in the 2005 emergency war supplemental, will hire 1,500 new Border Patrol personnel in fiscal years 2005 and 2006. Larsen will continue his work to ensure that 20 percent of those agents are stationed at the Northern Border as mandated in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that is now law.

Additionally, the bill includes $3.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That funding, combined with the supplemental, will hire 568 new customs agents.

The bill also includes $14 million for NEXUS and other programs using new technology to facilitate travel at the Mexican and Canadian borders.

“New border security initiatives like US VISIT and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative pose new challenges to commerce and traffic. Our border communities sit on the front lines of those challenges,” Larsen said. “I am working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that these initiatives make us safer without overly hindering legal travel and commerce at our border.”
 
While not included in this bill, another Homeland Security bill that passed the House includes language Larsen included related to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia and the effect on Washington state. The language directs the Department of Homeland Security to work with the appropriate Washington state and Canadian stakeholders to review and report back to Congress their analysis of expected border flow, border security, border wait times, and the possible need for increased border personnel.

The Senate must agree to the Homeland Security Appropriations conference report before the president can sign it into law.