The proposed federal budget sent by President Bush to
Congress Feb. 2 includes substantial increases for the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including increases
for the funding of aviation security and biodefense. Under
the fiscal 2005 budget, the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) would get an $890 million funding
increase to $5.3 billion.
The key themes outlined in the DHS budget include strengthening border and port security, enhancing biodefense, improving aviation security, enhancing immigration security and enforcement, supporting state and local first responders and increasing the department’s preparedness and response capacity.
Much of the TSA’s increase would go toward improving screening at airports, according the DHS Secretary Tom Ridge. In addition, $85 million would be allocated for improving air cargo security.
It is unclear how much of the new budget would go toward DHS financing of project by private companies, including electronic security firms.
