Homeland Security Watch

As noted in my earlier post,  the Department of Homeland Security would receive $56.3 billion, a two percent increase over its FY2010 enacted budget, under the President’s Budget released today.  Of this, $43.6 billion is discretionary, a 3% increase over FY2010.

So who are the winners and losers under the budget?

WINNERS

• The Analysis and Operations (Office of Intelligence and Analysis and the Office of Operations Coordination and Planning) would get a 4% increase to $347,930,000.
• The Office of the Inspector General would get a %14 increase to $129,806,000.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would get a 2% increase to $5,835,187,000.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would get a 7% increase to $8,164,780,000.
• The U.S. Secret Service would get a 6% increase to $1,811,617,000.
• The Office of Health Affairs would get a 53% increase to $212,734,000.
• FEMA would get a 5% increase to $6,527,406,000.
• The Science & Technology Directorate would get a 1% increase to 1,018,264,000.

NOT-SO-WINNERS

• Customs and Border Protection would get a -2% decrease to $11,180,018,000.
• The National Protection & Programs Directorate would get a -3% decrease to $2,361,715,000.
• FEMA: Grant Programs would get a -4% decrease to $4,000,590,000.
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would get a -2% decrease to $2,812,357,000.
• >Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) would get a -2% decrease to $278,375,000.
• Domestic Nuclear Detection Office would get a 20% decrease to $305,820,000.

A few items of note that surely will gain the attention of Congress:

• Secure Freight Initiative/Container Security Initiative downsizing.  CBP is requesting that the SFI Program be reduced by $16.6 million and that three of its five existing SFI ports (Honduras, Southampton, and Korea) revert to Container Security Initiative program, for which CBP requested a reduction of $50.7 million.  What does this mean?  A focus of remote targeting and examinations, as opposed to 100% scanning of all cargo.  With the Safe Ports Act up for reauthorization this year and focus on DHS implementation of  the port-related provisions in the 9/11 Act,  it is worth watching how Congress reacts to these reductions.

• The Secure Border Initiative – $574 million, down 20% or $158 million, from FY2010.  How does this affect border security efforts and how will Congress respond?

• Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines -  $214.7 million increase to procure and install AIT machines at airport checkpoints to detect dangerous materials, including non-metallic materials.  Expect this effort to be well-publicized and lots of review in light of the December 25th attempted bombing.