*EPF104 10/18/2004
Fact Sheet: Bush Signs Bill to Increase Homeland Security Funding
(Department will see a $1.8 billion increase in FY 2005) (1050)

President Bush signed the fiscal year 2005 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security October 18, providing a 6 percent increase over 2004 funding levels.

The department will receive $40.7 billion in the fiscal year that began October 1 (including programs related to Project BioShield, which aims to improve medical countermeasures to protect Americans against a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack). This reflects a $1.8 billion increase over the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2004.

The measure includes a $60 million increase for the department's Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate to help protect key networks in cyberspace from disruption or destruction by terrorists.

It also allocates $593 million to develop technologies designed to counter possible threats from chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological weapons as well as high-power explosives. Another $61 million will be spent researching ways to protect commercial airliners against shoulder-launched missiles.

The US-VISIT (U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) program, designed to expedite the travel to and from the United States by legitimate travelers and hinder that of individuals who pose a national security threat, will benefit from a $12 million increase from the fiscal 2004, for a total appropriation of $340 million.

Following is the text of the White House fact sheet:

(begin fact sheet)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
October 18, 2004

FACT SHEET: PROVIDING THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PROTECT AMERICA

Today's Presidential Action

-- Today, President Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2005 to provide much-needed funds for our nation's homeland security activities. This bill contains most of the federal government's investment in homeland security. With enactment of the remainder of the President's FY 2005 budget, President Bush will have nearly tripled funding for homeland security activities since taking office.

-- This bill reflects the President's commitment to defend America by making sure the federal government and state and local first responders have the resources they need to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize damage from attacks that might occur.

Background on today's Presidential Action

-- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act signed today provides $28.9 billion in net discretionary spending, a $1.8 billion increase (6.6 percent) over 2004, and a $14.9 billion increase (106 percent) over 2001 levels.

-- Including Project BioShield, mandatory, and fee-funded programs, a total of $40.7 billion will be available to DHS in fiscal year 2005.

-- The Act includes $4 billion for State and local assistance programs -- a 765 percent ($3.5 billion) increase over 2001 levels. This includes a 19 percent ($135 million) increase for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) over 2004.

- The UASI distributes terrorism preparedness grants to urban areas based on threat levels, instead of using arbitrary formulas.

- Other state and local assistance programs funded by the appropriations act include $150 million for port security grants, $150 million for rail/transit security grants, neither of which were funded in 2001; and $715 million for grants to fire departments, a $615 million increase over 2001.

-- In addition, the Act provides for other key programs and initiatives vital to protecting America and reducing our vulnerability to terrorist threats, including:

- $8.5 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a 7 percent ($556 million) increase over 2004. This spending level percent funds programs to help secure our nation's borders while facilitating the legitimate flow of commerce, including full funding for:

-- The Container Security Initiative to pre-screen cargo containers from 26 ports representing more than 80 percent of inbound cargo to the United States. With the legislation signed by the President today, spending on cargo security, screening, and inspections will total nearly $2.9 billion, an 80 percent ($1.3 billion) increase over pre-9/11 levels; and

-- The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, which facilitates partnerships between the federal government and American importers to improve security along the entire supply chain -- from the factory floor, to foreign vendors, to land borders and seaports.

- $340 million for the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program (US-VISIT), an automated entry-exit system designed to expedite the arrival and departure of legitimate travelers, while making it more difficult for those intending to do us harm to enter our nation. This is a $12 million increase over 2004.

- $5.1 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, including aviation security fees, a $679 million increase over 2004. This includes $475 million for explosives detection system baggage screening equipment and installation, a 19 percent ($75 million) increase over 2004.

- $6.3 billion for the Coast Guard, an 8.6 percent ($500 million) increase over 2004, and a 66 percent ($2.5 billion) increase over 2001 levels. Among funding for other programs, the appropriations bill includes $724 million for the deepwater multi-year acquisition program to replace Coast Guard ships, aircraft, and communications systems.

- $3.1 billion for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, a 7 percent ($198 million) increase over 2004. This includes:

1) Funding for programs that support the nation's ability to prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from natural and man made disasters.

2) $2 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund, a $53 million increase over base 2004 funding. This fund allows DHS to provide support to states for response and recovery to unforeseen emergencies and natural disasters.

- $894 million for the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate (IAIP), $60 million above the 2004 level.

-- The IAIP is the focal point of the Department's efforts to assess and protect the nation's critical infrastructures, including cyberspace, from terrorism.

-- The 2005 funding level will allow the IAIP to identify critical assets and send IAIP teams to conduct site visits to assist operators and owners in identifying and reducing vulnerabilities.

- $1.1 billion for the Science and Technology Directorate, a $203 million increase over 2004. This includes $593 million to develop technologies that counter threats from chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological weapons, and high explosives; and $61 million to continue the development of innovative counter-measures to protect commercial aircraft against man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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