Border security, immigration would get budget boost in '09
By Ben Bain
Published on February 4, 2008
In step with the Homeland Security Department’s goals for 2008, President Bush has requested funding to boost cybersecurity and border security programs in fiscal 2009. Overall, he wants to increase the department’s budget by 6.8 percent.
Bush’s fiscal 2009 budget request for DHS, released today, calls for $12.14 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, a 19 percent increase over fiscal 2008 funding. He asked appropriators for an additional $775 million for the beleaguered SBInet program, which so far has completed 280 miles of the 670-mile pedestrian and vehicular fence planned to be in place by the end of 2008.
Bush’s request for additional cybersecurity spending is in line with one of the main goals DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff identified for 2008. DHS said it responded to more than 37,000 cyber incidents last year – more than double the number of the previous year.
“An unfortunate consequence of living in a networked, technologically dependent world is that terrorists and others seek to use our own technology against us,” Chertoff said today. He refused to go into details about the entire cybersecurity budget, citing classification limitations. “This administration is currently intently focused on cybersecurity.”
Bush also wants to boost the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, which protects federal networks and cyber infrastructure, by more than $80 million. Specifically, the administration is asking for increased funding for DHS’ Einstein program, which tracks malicious activity on federal computer systems.
Bush asked for significantly more money for Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard than in 2008. The Coast Guard, for example, would receive more than $990 million for its Deepwater program — more than $200 million more than it got in 2008.
James Carafano, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said he was not surprised by the proposed increases in funding for those two areas. They represent the administration taking a look at its long-term priorities, he said.
|
Digg
De.licio.us
Slashdot
Technorati
