US Congress puts brakes on DHS spending
Concerned about the management of major programs, Congress placed a temporary hold on hundreds of millions of dollars allocated for several large projects at the Homeland Security Department until certain conditions for improvements are met
Congress' detailed instructions were included in the continuing resolution signed by President Bush last week that included fiscal 2009 appropriations for DHS.
For example, of the $1 billion approved for the Coast Guard's Integrated Deepwater Systems ship replacement program, $550 million is being withheld pending submission of an expenditure plan, among other items. Similarly, of $775 million approved for the Secure Border Initiative, which includes the SBInet high-tech surveillance system along with physical fencing and vehicle barriers, $400 million is to be withheld pending submission of detailed progress report and plans.
In addition, $217 million is being held from the $317 expenditure for Customs and Border Protection's Automated Commercial Environment, and $75 million is being held back from the $300 million allotted for the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology that collects fingerprints from foreign visitors.
