House Appropriations Committee Approves $5 Billion for Border Security Measures

WASHINGTON, DC: On July 25, the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY19 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, its final bill for this year. This bill includes $17.8 billion in discretionary funds for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and $7.4 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Included in CBP's funding is $5 billion for border security assets and infrastructure. This funding will be used to construct more than 200 miles of new physical barrier construction along the southern border and to invest in new border security technology. Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) made the following statement lauding the bill's passage:

"I am committed to securing our nation's borders and repairing our immigration system. The funding approved by the committee today will help reduce the frequency of illegal border crossings, decrease the amount of illegal drugs and weapons smuggled into the United States, and expedite investigations, detentions, and removal of criminal immigrants. I urge my colleagues in the House to swiftly pass this legislation, and call on the Senate to take action all of this year's appropriations bills. The end of this fiscal year is quickly approaching, and the American people deserve a proper appropriations package, not to be held hostage by the Democrats for a series of short-term spending bills and government shutdowns."