“That is why the President put forth a comprehensive fiscal framework that reduces the deficit by $4 trillion, supports economic growth and long-term job creation, protects critical investments, and meets the commitments made to provide dignity and security to Americans no matter their circumstances. While overall funding limits and subsequent allocations remain unclear pending the outcome of ongoing bipartisan, bicameral discussions between the Administration and congressional leadership on the Nation’s long-term fiscal picture, the bill provides insufficient funding for a number of programs in a way that undermines core government functions and investments key to economic growth and job creation”.
Thus begins a White House Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 2017 issued by the Office of Management of the Budget (OMB) . The full statement can be accessed at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/112/saphr2017r_20110531.pdf
Although the sums being appropriated for TSA will be the envy of transportation security agencies worldwide, the fact that this Bill (which reduces funding by 2.6% for the Fiscal year ending on Sept 30th 2012) was only passed by the House of Representatives in May 2011 and that it still has to go before the US Senate for consideration indicates a level of “uncertainty” around future DHS funding.
Key points in the Bill (relating to TSA funding and 100% screening requirement)
The following sections are taken from the text of the Bill:
[Page 25]
“For necessary expenses of the Transportation Security Administration related to providing transportation security support and intelligence pursuant to the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (Public Law 107–71;13 115 Stat. 597; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note), $1,032,790,000, to remain available until September 30, 2013: Provided, That the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives detailed expenditure plans for air cargo security, checkpoint support, and explosives detection systems procurement, refurbishment, and installation on an airport-by-airport basis for fiscal year 2013: Provided further, That these plans shall be submitted not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act”
“For necessary expenses of the Federal Air Marshals $961,375,000”
[Page 87] SEC. 543.
(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives, a report that either –
(1) certifies that the requirement for screening all air cargo on passenger aircraft by the deadline under section 44901(g) of title 49, United States Code, has been met; or
(2) includes a strategy to comply with the requirements under title 44901(g) of title 49, United States Code, including –
(A) a plan to meet the requirement under section 44901(g) of title 49, United States Code, to screen 100 percent of air cargo transported on passenger aircraft arriving in the United States in foreign air transportation (as that term is defined in section 40102 of that (title); and
(B) specification of -
(i) the percentage of such air cargo that is being screened; and
(ii) the schedule for achieving screening of 100 percent of such air cargo.
(b) The Assistant Secretary shall continue to submit reports described in subsection (a) (2) every 180 days thereafter until the Assistant Secretary certifies that the Transportation Security Administration has achieved screening of 100 percent of such air cargo.
The full text of H.R. 2017 can be accessed at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-104hr2017rh/pdf/BILLS-104hr2017rh.pdf
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