SECRETARY KELLY TESTIFIES ON DHS BUDGET REQUEST
July 10, 2017
On May 25, 2017 DHS Secretary John F. Kelly provided testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security hearing titled “Review of the FY2018 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.
Secretary Kelly stated that Biometrics are critical to an ongoing DHS identification and verification initiative. The Budget requests $354 million to support biometric initiatives to assist with entry and exit at ports with the goal of making air travel more secure, convenient, and easier by improving technology and decreasing the possibility of human error when scanning baggage, passengers and cargo for threats.
The Secretary also outlined that the Budget will include $277.2 million for checked baggage screening and explosives detection equipment and $77 million for research in explosives screening, threat assessments and detection capabilities.
Finally, the Secretary announced that TSA will cease staffing airport exit lanes, “which will enable placement of an additional 629 TSA Officers at the checkpoints. This solution reflects risk-based analysis; TSA Officers are specially trained to ensure no metallic or non-metallic threat items make it onboard planes. Their security screening skills and expertise are not being put to good use while staffing airport exit lanes, and this is a waste of taxpayer dollars.” The Secretary did not elaborate as to who would staff the exit lanes in the future.
The Secretary’s testimony outlines the spending initiatives that DHS will implement according to the President’s proposed budget which may change after Congress votes on a budget; likely later this summer.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).
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