HYDE-SMITH VOTES FOR BORDER WALL FUNDING AS PART OF HOMELAND SECURITY BILL
Appropriations Committee Bill Funds President’s Budget Request, Programs Important to Mississippi
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted for an appropriations bill that meets President Trump’s FY2019 budget request for building a border wall to help control illegal immigration.
The FY2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill was approved, 26-5, on Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee on which Hyde-Smith serves. In addition to increasing funding for border security, the bill also offers strong support for the U.S. Coast Guard, disaster relief, and state and local grants.
“President Trump’s border wall will be one of the strongest defenses we can build to stop the flow of drugs and people entering our country illegally. I’m all for its construction,” Hyde-Smith said. “The Senate homeland security bill fully funds the budget request for the wall, which will bring this important project closer to reality.”
The bill provides $14.3 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), fully funding the budget request for a border wall system in locations identified by the Border Patrol as necessary to obtain operational control of the Southwest border. An overall $239 million increase for CBP will support new law enforcement personnel, border security technology, infrastructure, and equipment to help prevent, detect, and interdict illegal border crossings.
An additional $134 million is provided to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including resources to target at-large criminal aliens and persons who overstay their visas. This funding will also help fight drug and human trafficking.
For the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the bill offers $11.69 billion, $7.23 billion of which is for the Disaster Relief Fund.
Mississippi first responders and emergency management personnel also use the Homeland Security training and grant programs, which are funded at $3.27 billion. This funding includes $250 million for Pre-disaster Mitigation and $250 million for Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program. For every $1 invested in mitigation, $6 can be saved in disaster recovery.
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