WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today looked on as President Bush signed the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill into law.  The legislation, passed by Congress this month, contains funding for U.S. Department of Homeland Security operations in the coming fiscal year.

 

“This legislation is integral to our preparedness for all kinds of threats to homeland security, from grants to local first responders to improved immigration control and services,” Emerson said.  “Homeland security is no less a priority now than it was four years ago.  I am proud to see the Congress come together to seriously address the urgent need to protect Americans where we live.”

 

Among the highlights of the $30.8 billion bill are $1.8 billion for border security and control, which will include the hiring of 1,000 additional Border Security Agents, $3.4 billion for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, and $3.3 billion for first responders.  Also funded are disaster relief plans and emergency response specialists, such as Urban Search and Rescue Teams. 

 

“Specialists and equipment for disaster response are obviously important in the case of natural disasters as well as national security.  In the cases of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we have seen the acute need for personnel with these skills.  This is also a part of Homeland Security we cannot afford to ignore or underfund, and this bill reflects the goal of keeping Americans safe in times of natural disaster.”

 

Emerson has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct preparedness exercises for a possible magnitude 6.0+ earthquake along the New Madrid Fault Zone.