CBO Report on Homeland Security Budget Shows Consolidation Not Complete
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report he requested on the proposed Homeland Security Budget for FY2013. It analyzes the historical funding levels for homeland security activities and the President FY2013 budget request for homeland security activities. The Presidential Request for FY2013 for all homeland security activities is $68.9 billion – 1.2 percent more than the amount provided in FY2012. Approximately half of these funds go to the Department of Homeland Security. While the remainder of the funding designed to enhance the nation's homeland security posture lies in the budgetary accounts of most Executive Branch agencies, the lion's share rests with the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Health & Human Services. CBO also found that while the total homeland security budget has grown substantially over the past decade, it has declined slightly in recent years.
Ranking Member Thompson released the following statement on the report:
The most illuminating feature of this CBO report is the finding that almost half of homeland security funds and activities are not under the purview of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Similarly, the Committee on Homeland Security—designated to have oversight responsibilities for the Department of Homeland Security does not have meaningful oversight jurisdiction of these activities which affect the nation's homeland security posture. While this Committee and the Administration continue to call for the consolidation of Congressional homeland security jurisdiction, this Committee's ability to safeguard against waste, fraud, and abuse in the homeland security arena is hampered by the current jurisdictional and funding structure. Congress and the Administration must work together to resolve these issues.
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