NE Ohio Times

WASHINGTON D.C. – On May 18, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Chairman of the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, led the subcommittee markup for the Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. This year’s bill contains record funding priorities to secure the southern border and bolster national security, while cutting wasteful spending. 

Watch Congressman Joyce’s full opening remarks here.

Opening Remarks:

“Our job on the subcommittee is to ensure that the men and women of DHS who work tirelessly on our behalf have the resources and tools they need to protect the homeland…

“Appropriation bills communicate priorities, and this bill makes strong investments in border security and immigration enforcement. 

“We have a border security crisis on our hands due to the policy decisions of this Administration over the last two years. 

“Unlike recent Homeland Security appropriations, and the President’s request, this bill returns to a traditional border security approach by investing in the tried-and-true methods to both secure the border and deter those who have no legitimate basis for entry.” 

Topline Numbers: 

Secures our southwest border by:

• Providing $2.104 billion for construction of physical wall along the southwest border;
• Providing $496 million for 22,000 Border Patrol Agents, the highest level ever funded;
• Restoring border security technology funding to the FY 2022 level of $276 million; and
• Forcing Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to the law and build physical barriers immediately.

Removes dangerous criminals by:

• Providing $3.520 billion for custody operations, including to fund an average daily ICE detainee population of 41,000, which is higher than any previously appropriated level; and
• Providing $655 million to fund transportation and removal operations for removable aliens.

Counters China and bolsters our national security by:

• Providing $335 million to procure four additional Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters to counter China in the Indo-Pacific; and
• Providing $150 million for the purchase of a polar icebreaker to project U.S. sovereignty in the Arctic. 

Original source can be found here.