DHS Appropriations Bill Approved

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (H.R. 2555) has been approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is now on its way to the White House for signature. Among other things, it provides $4.4 billion to Customs and Border Protection (of which $3 million is to be derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and other monies to be derived from the Customs User Fee Account); $319 million for development of the Automated Commercial Environment; $263 million for maritime and land security expenses of the Transportation Security Administration (of which $125 million is available for port security grants and $17 million is available for Operation Safe Commerce); and $4.7 billion to the U.S. Coast Guard for its operation, with an additional $668 million for the Integrated Deepwater Systems program. Source: HK Law