26–328 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 115–239 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2018 

JULY 21, 2017.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. CARTER of Texas, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

MINORITY VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 3355] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the 

Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. 

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT 

Page number 

Bill Report 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, INTELLIGENCE, AND OVERSIGHT 

Office of the Secretary and Executive Management ........................ 2 4 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 2 5 

Management Directorate .................................................................... 2 8 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 2 8 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 3 11 

Research and Development ......................................................... 3 12 

Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination ....................... 3 12 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 3 13 

Office of Inspector General ................................................................. 3 14 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 3 14 

Administrative Provisions ........................................................... 4 14 

TITLE II—SECURITY, ENFORCEMENT, AND INVESTIGATIONS 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection ................................................. 7 15 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 7 15 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 9 26 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ................................... 9 27 

2 

Page number 

Bill Report 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 9 27 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 10 37 

Transportation Security Administration ........................................... 10 38 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 10 38 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 11 41 

Research and Development ......................................................... 11 42 

Coast Guard ......................................................................................... 12 42 

Operating Expenses ..................................................................... 12 43 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration ............................. 12 45 

Reserve Training .......................................................................... 13 45 

Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements .......................... 13 46 

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation .......................... 13 47 

Health Care Fund Contribution ................................................. ........ 48 

Retired Pay ................................................................................... 14 48 

United States Secret Service .............................................................. 14 48 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 14 49 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 16 50 

Research and Development ......................................................... 16 51 

Administrative Provisions .................................................................. 16 51 

TITLE III—PROTECTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND 

RECOVERY 

National Protection and Programs Directorate ................................ 24 53 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 24 53 

Federal Protective Service .......................................................... 24 58 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 24 58 

Research and Development ......................................................... 24 59 

Office of Health Affairs ....................................................................... 25 60 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 25 60 

Federal Emergency Management Agency ......................................... 25 61 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 25 61 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 25 63 

Federal Assistance ....................................................................... 25 64 

Disaster Relief Fund .................................................................... 28 68 

National Flood Insurance Fund .................................................. 29 69 

TITLE IV—RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND SERVICES 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ...................................... 34 70 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 34 71 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 34 72 

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers .................................... 34 72 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 34 73 

Science and Technology Directorate .................................................. 35 73 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 35 74 

Research and Development ......................................................... 35 75 

Domestic Nuclear Detection Office .................................................... 35 77 

Operations and Support .............................................................. 35 77 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ 35 77 

Research and Development ......................................................... 36 78 

Federal Assistance ....................................................................... 36 78 

TITLE V—GENERAL PROVISIONS 39 79 

This Act ................................................................................................ ........ 79 

Compliance with House Rules ........................................................... ........ 93 

Tables ................................................................................................... ........ 106 

Overview 

The fiscal year 2018 President’s budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reflects major policy changes for 

how it secures the border and enforces immigration laws inside the 

3 

United States. Despite these policy shifts, the objective for DHS remains the same—to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other hazards. The fiscal year 2018 request proposes $50,794,385,000 in total discretionary funds for DHS, of which $1,906,213,000 is classified 

as budget function 050 (defense) funding and of which 

$48,888,172,000 is classified as non-defense funding, of which 

$6,793,000,000 is disaster relief. 

For border security, the budget request includes an increase above fiscal year 2017 of $1,720,180,000 for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to support a strategy of attaining operational 

control of the border. Operational control is to be achieved through 

four primary capabilities: 

(1) domain awareness, defined as the ability to detect, identify, and classify; 

(2) impedance and denial, consisting of the ability to prevent 

and deter illicit cross border activity; 

(3) access and mobility, to enable the law enforcement response to illicit activity; and 

(4) mission readiness, which is achieved when Border Patrol 

agents are trained appropriately and have the equipment and 

tools needed to conduct their mission successfully and safely. The budget request includes a $1,130,222,000 increase above fiscal year 2017 for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

(ICE) to promote robust enforcement of immigration laws. This increase supports the expansion of ICE enforcement activities to categories of individuals whose removal had previously been deferred, 

including those with orders of removal issued prior to January 1, 

2014, and individuals with no record of criminal convictions. 

The Committee is pleased that the request fully funds the fiscal 

year 2018 requirements for the United States Secret Service, thus 

assuring that both its agents and Uniformed Division officers are 

compensated for overtime and relocations. Furthermore, the request helps reduce the need for overtime through additional hiring. 

Funding is proposed to increase the capacity of the E-Verify system in preparation for a potential transition to mandatory use at 

the national level in the future. 

Cuts proposed for the Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) grant programs are troubling because the risk of terrorist 

attacks has not diminished since September 11, 2001, particularly 

in high threat, high density urban areas. Ensuring that communities are prepared to prevent, mitigate, effectively respond to, and 

recover from acts of terrorism should not be short-changed. Consequently, the Committee’s recommendation sustains FEMA grant 

programs at fiscal year 2017 levels. Likewise, cuts to ICE’s Visa 

Security Program—which ensures law enforcement officers have an 

opportunity to review visa applications and interview applicants 

prior to their arrival in the United States—have been restored to 

fiscal year 2017 levels. 

Of concern is the Administration’s assumption that a proposed 

increase in the aviation passenger security fee will reduce the 

Transportation Security Administration’s requirement for discretionary funding by $500,000,000. The prior Administration routinely proposed similar fee increases, which have little or no chance 

of being enacted. DHS should fight for a topline budget increase 

4 

rather than employ tactics that put it at risk of being unable to 

carry out its national security mission. 

The Committee is pleased with the headway that has been made 

to strengthen and institutionalize DHS’s management processes. 

Despite commendable progress, more can be done particularly in 

the areas of planning and programming for required capabilities. 

DHS components—especially those that are operational—would 

benefit from a more transparent, rigorous, and common approach. 

DHS should leverage the Joint Requirements Council (JRC) to ensure that enterprise solutions are used whenever appropriate and 

cost effective. 

As the Committee has opined in prior reports, it will take time 

to establish a culture of joint operations and interoperability. 

DHS’s components will have to overcome longstanding parochial instincts and better integrate into joint command-and-control structures. But the Committee believes that, in a world where threats 

emerge without warning, leveraging the power that a more joint 

DHS can bring is vital to protecting the homeland. 

Summary 

The Committee recommendation includes $51,121,000,000, including $44,328,000,000 within the bill’s 302(b) budget allocation, 

and $6,793,000,000 as a budget cap adjustment for disaster relief. 

Title I contains funds for departmental management activities. 

Title II ensures the Department’s frontline operational components 

have adequate resources to carry out effectively their security, enforcement, and investigative missions. Title III includes funds necessary to prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters; chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive attacks; and 

cyber-attacks on the population or the nation’s critical infrastructure. Title IV supports law enforcement training; citizenship, immigration, and employment eligibility verification services; nuclear 

and radiological detection; and research and development functions. Title V includes basic general provisions for oversight, reprogramming guidance, transfer authority, reports, and funding 

limitations. 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, 

INTELLIGENCE, AND OVERSIGHT 

Mission 

The mission of Departmental Management, Operations, Intelligence, and Oversight is to provide leadership and services to DHS 

components, formulate policy guidance and directives, collect and 

disseminate intelligence, and maintain visibility of all DHS operations. The Office of the Secretary, the executive management offices, and the Management Directorate support departmental efforts to achieve strategic goals and to deliver quality administrative 

support services for human resources; manage facilities, property, 

equipment, and other material resources; ensure safety, health, 

and environmental protection; and identify and track performance 

measurements relating to DHS missions. 

5 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

Mission 

The Office of the Secretary and Executive Management (OSEM) 

provides policy guidance to operating bureaus within the organization; plans and executes departmental strategies to accomplish 

agency objectives; and provides leadership to the Department. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $137,034,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 130,307,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 138,997,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +1,963,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +8,690,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation supports the 

costs incurred for day-to-day operation and maintenance of OSEM, 

including salaries, services, supplies, utilities, travel, training, 

transportation, and minor procurement, construction, and improvement projects. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $138,997,000 for O&S, $8,690,000 

above the amount requested and $1,963,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Office of the Secretary ....................................................................................... $18,043,000 $18,028,000 

Office of Policy ................................................................................................... 36,837,000 41,624,000 

Office of Public Affairs ....................................................................................... 5,143,000 5,000,000 

Office of Legislative Affairs ............................................................................... 5,056,000 5,056,000

Office of Partnership and Engagement ............................................................. 12,603,000 13,422,000 

Office of General Counsel .................................................................................. 18,501,000 18,501,000 

Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ......................................................... 20,679,000 23,571,000 

Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman .................... 5,944,000 5,944,000 

Privacy Office ...................................................................................................... 7,501,000 7,851,000 

Total, Operations and Support .................................................................. $130,307,000 $138,997,000 

Over the last several years, the Department has adopted a standard practice of artificially reducing its budget request by proposing 

fee increases that are unlikely to be enacted, and fiscal year 2018 

is no exception. As a consequence, the Department’s total discretionary funding requirement is far higher than represented in the 

budget request. If a topline discretionary funding increase is required in order for DHS components to meet mission requirements, 

DHS leadership is directed to work with the Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) to directly propose that funding. Until that happens, official reception and representation funds in the Office of the 

Secretary are limited to $30,000, which is $15,000 below the request. 

Now that the roles, missions, and processes of the Joint Requirements Council (JRC) have been established, DHS should consider 

whether the organization should be moved from the Office of the 

6 

Secretary to the Management Directorate, which is a better functional fit. If so, DHS is directed to make the change for fiscal year 

2018 through a transfer of funds under the authority provided in 

section 503 of this Act, and to memorialize it in the fiscal year 2019 

budget request. As in the past, DHS is directed to provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on the activities of the JRC. 

The explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115–31, 

along with House Report 114–668, directed the Secretary to convene a Public Complaint and Feedback System working group to 

support the sharing of best practices and the standardization of 

feedback mechanisms, processes, customer service metrics, and reporting across the Department. The Committee reiterates its support for this effort and looks forward to the first update on the 

progress of the working group by the deadline of August 3, 2017. 

The Department should continue to provide assistance, as appropriate, to state police crime labs to ensure that federal requirements do not burden state resources. DHS shall report annually on 

its use of and partnerships with state crime labs, including funding 

associated with such use and partnerships, and should fully reimburse state crime labs it uses. The Committee notes that the Department’s partnerships with crime labs are particularly important 

in border states. 

The U.S. remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of a natural 

or intentional biological or chemical event that could be devastating to our citizens, our food supply, and our economy. The 

Committee is concerned there is a lack of coordination between 

DHS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other federal agencies on efforts to address risks to the agricultural supply. 

DHS and USDA are directed to brief the Committees not later than 

180 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the coordination 

between the two departments and other relevant federal agencies 

on efforts to address agro-threats. The briefing shall include an assessment of existing capabilities and capability gaps surrounding 

intelligence and information gathering and surveillance activities 

on agro-threats, including animal health, crop health, impacts to 

human health, insect vectors, and impacts to the national economy. 

The briefing shall also address how agencies will collaborate on the 

future operation and funding of the National Bio- and Agro-defense 

Facility (NBAF), including a plan for the transition of Plum Island 

to NBAF. 

The Committee has increased the Office of Policy by $4,787,400 

above the request to accelerate the build-out of the Immigration 

Data Integration Initiative. This initiative continues departmental 

efforts directed by the Committees on Appropriations in prior years 

based on bipartisan, bicameral concerns about the inability of the 

Department to provide timely reporting of border security and immigration enforcement data. Such data is important for informing 

component operations and for providing oversight. Specifically, the 

initiative will enable DHS to develop uniform immigration data 

standards; provide stakeholders with real- or near real-time access 

to relevant data; ensure that immigration records are fully linkable 

across DHS and other federal agency data systems; and meet 

transparency requirements directed by the Committees on Appropriations and under recent Executive Orders and Presidential 

7 

Memoranda on border security, interior enforcement, and preventing terrorist travel. 

A more formal engagement between the Department and appropriate Mexican authorities could help facilitate the development of 

common or complementary approaches in areas of mutual interest, 

including border infrastructure, immigration enforcement, facilitating the flow of low-risk cargo and passengers, cross-border violence, and criminal networks. The Committee encourages the Department, in partnership with the Department of State, to explore 

new opportunities for cooperation with Mexican authorities, such 

as a cross-border working group, and to report back to the Committee within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act. 

As the Department continues to implement the REAL ID Act, the 

Committee encourages continued collaboration with states, including the appropriate use of reasonable extensions that provide additional time for states to come into compliance with the required 

minimum standards. 

The Blue Campaign, a department-wide initiative to combat 

human trafficking, has historically been funded through end-ofyear contributions from components and detailed personnel, an approach that is not appropriate for the program’s long-term 

sustainment. The fiscal year 2017 DHS Appropriations Act included direct funding of $819,000 for the Blue Campaign to support 

dedicated personnel, as requested, and to begin transitioning the 

program away from a reliance on component contributions. Unfortunately, the fiscal year 2018 request proposed no direct funding 

for the program. The Committee recommends $819,000 in continued direct funding for personnel and directs the Secretary to sustain the program at its total fiscal year 2016 level of $5,150,000 in 

fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018, using component contributions to cover non-personnel program costs. DHS shall account for 

and propose full, direct funding for the program in the justification 

materials that accompany the fiscal year 2019 budget submission, 

as directed in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 

115–31. 

The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) works collaboratively with DHS components to improve policies, practices, 

standards, and training related to civil rights and civil liberties 

while also supporting homeland security missions. The Committee 

recommends $23,571,000 for CRCL, $1,000,000 above the fiscal 

year 2017 level, to sustain enhancements provided for the Compliance Branch in fiscal year 2017 and to accommodate a higher 

workload in fiscal year 2018 across CRCL, including oversight of 

significant planned new hiring by CBP and ICE, the expansion of 

ICE enforcement activities and detention capacity, and the expansion of the 287(g) program. CRCL shall ensure that all individuals 

whose complaints it investigates receive information within 30 days 

of the completion of an investigation regarding the outcome of such 

complaints, as appropriate, including findings of fact, findings of 

law, and available remedies. 

The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman 

is funded at $5,944,000 and the Privacy Office is funded at 

$7,851,000, which supports the current services level of activity for 

both offices. 

8 

MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $619,156,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 768,664,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 726,431,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +107,275,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥42,233,000 

Mission 

The mission of the Management Directorate is to ensure delivery 

of effective and efficient business and management services across 

DHS to enable the Department to achieve its mission to secure the 

United States. It does so by providing policy, guidance, operational 

oversight and support, and solutions for the management of the 

Department. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $597,817,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 696,131,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 696,131,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +98,314,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Operations and Support (O&S) account supports enterprise 

leadership and business administration services, including: financial management, acquisition oversight, workforce management, 

physical and personnel security requirements, administrative supplies and services, non-programmatic information technology, dayto-day management of headquarters-related property and assets, 

daily communications, and other general day-to-day management 

and administration. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $696,131,000 for O&S, 

$98,314,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Of the 

total, the bill recommends two years of funding availability totaling 

$227,516,000 of which $188,217,000 is for the Office of the Chief 

Information Officer, $2,931,000 is for the Nebraska Avenue Complex, and $36,368,000 is for the Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Immediate Office of the Under Secretary for Management ............................... $6,867,000 $6,867,000 

Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer .................................................. 70,900,000 70,900,000 

Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer ........................................................ 56,852,000 56,852,000 

Office of the Chief Security Officer .................................................................... 74,963,000 74,963,000 

Office of the Chief Procurement Officer ............................................................ 102,615,000 102,615,000 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer .................................................................. 66,369,000 66,369,000 

Office of the Chief Information Officer .............................................................. 317,565,000 317,565,000 

Total, Operations and Support ....................................................................... $696,131,000 $696,131,000 

The Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer is directed to 

continue refining a DHS-wide inventory of real estate, vehicle 

9 

fleets, and equipment for the purpose of establishing a table of 

equipment for each component of the DHS enterprise. 

House Report 114–668 directed the Department to provide a plan 

to the Committee requiring all component-level field offices to consolidate space, services, and assets. The Committee looks forward 

to receiving this plan by the due date of August 3, 2017. 

The Committee directs the Department’s Chief Acquisition Officer to provide a briefing of summary ratings for all Level 1 and 2 

programs on a quarterly basis. 

Within the amount recommended for the Office of the Chief 

Human Capital Officer is $3,000,000 to continue the Cybersecurity 

Internship Program. 

Included in the amount for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is $2,635,000 to develop a planning, programming, 

budgeting, and execution tool and $3,256,000 to establish a manpower analysis tool that can provide modeling and financial analysis capability. 

Annual obligation plans for each DHS component shall be provided to the Committee not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act with updates of actual obligations provided not 

later than 30 days after the end of each quarter. For the annual 

obligation plan, DHS is directed to establish a template that shall 

be used by every DHS component and shall include quarterly 

spending targets for each account and program, project, and activity (PPA). The initial submission shall account for any undistributed cuts and will be used as a baseline for subsequent 

reprogrammings or transfers in accordance with section 503 of this 

Act. This requirement shall apply to the fiscal year 2018 enacted 

budget. 

DHS is commended for continuing the department-wide effort to 

improve budget justification materials, including acquisition documents that are more transparent and provide useful insight into 

cost, schedule, and delivery. O&S justification material, while 

much improved, continues to include unnecessary background information, be repetitive, and vary by component. DHS should consider developing a template for O&S justifications with established 

cost drivers that each component is required to utilize, especially 

operational components. Given its interest in this issue, the Committee will be requesting regular updates on DHS’s progress. 

With the exception of the Coast Guard, all DHS component budgets are now formulated in four appropriations account categories 

that use common definitions and have similar cost drivers and pricing rules. The period of appropriation availability for each category 

is not standardized across components, however, which hinders 

consistent planning, programming, budgeting, and execution. As 

part of the fiscal year 2019 budget request, the Department shall 

submit a proposal with more consistent periods of availability for 

all DHS and component appropriations accounts. 

Other differences among components include the PPA levels that 

serve as controls for the purposes of reprogramming notification 

thresholds. While some appropriations are divided into only a single tier of PPAs, others have one or even two additional sub-tier 

levels. In addition to being inconsistent, some of the sub-tiers contain relatively small amounts of funding, impeding day-to-day management decisions by requiring a reprogramming notification to the 

10 

Committees before even small movements of funds can be made. To 

begin to address this issue, the Committee recommends the consolidation of small, sub-tier PPAs under the appropriations for some 

components. In addition, the Committee directs DHS OCFO to review the existing PPA structure, provide recommendations for improvement to the Committee by October 1, 2017, and propose the 

new PPA format in the fiscal year 2019 budget request. 

The Committee recognizes the Department’s progress in requirements development and validation. Establishing the JRC and implementing the Joint Requirements Integration Management System better enable DHS to identify and validate all joint operational 

requirements and link requirements and resources. However, for 

the requirements process to be truly effective, DHS components 

need to further develop their own requirements generation processes. Therefore, the Department is directed to require the operational components to establish requirements functions that can 

address all emerging and extant requirements across each component’s range of missions. For the smaller components who might 

not possess the resources to establish this capability, the Department should help them develop their requirements as well. 

Multiple operational components at DHS lack comprehensive 

plans to systematically replace vehicles and radios, which are key 

tools of the trade for law enforcement officers. The estimated cost 

to replace these assets is excessive and probably unaffordable if requested in a lump sum. With the projected growth in the size of 

the investigative force, this requirement will only increase over 

time. Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, DHS, 

in collaboration with the requisite components, shall brief the Committee on joint plans to recapitalize and replace vehicles and radios. The Committee directs CFO to require components to provide 

exhibits in future budget submissions detailing the schedule and 

costs to maintain the viability of its fleet of vehicles and radios. 

The Committee recognizes the Department’s progress in evolving 

its Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System 

(PPBES). The Department should continue to mature the PPBES 

process by developing a system of record that tracks funding from 

programming through execution. DHS is directed to formally establish a requirement for this capability and utilize an existing product that meets its needs while ensuring all components provide 

input to the process. 

In order to ensure the long-term security of technology used to 

safeguard documents issued by the Department, the Committee directs DHS to review the availability of technologies to encrypt 

radio-frequency identification (RFID) documents and the feasibility 

of upgrading and encrypting current and future RFID documents. 

DHS shall brief the Committee on its assessment not later than 

180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee notes the private sector’s use of training and certification as a successful way to retain cybersecurity professionals 

and appreciates the Department’s efforts to utilize tuition assistance for employees in pursuit of formal degrees or industry recognized certifications. In order to maximize the Department’s efforts, 

the Committee directs the Secretary to review the transferability 

of cybersecurity training programs and certification testing opportunities across both the public and private sector, and to identify 

11 

resource constraints or other obstacles that might inhibit the success of such retention efforts. 

House Report 114–215 made clear the Committee’s concerns regarding the Department’s failure to adequately address shortfalls 

in its interoperable communications and required a briefing from 

the Chief Information Officer on the Department’s plan to close 

those interoperability gaps. Despite this requirement, and multiple 

Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports indicating failures and 

providing recommendations, there continue to be numerous communications gaps. Currently, there are a number of local, state, 

and federal partnerships using systems that increase the availability of interoperable communications to all levels of first responders and serve as a link for daily operations. The Committee 

directs the Department to examine the practicality and 

supportability of leveraging such partnerships to close existing 

DHS gaps, and to brief the Committee on its findings within 180 

days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee remains concerned with the compliance with 

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, Policy for a Common 

Identification Standard for Federal Employees and Contractors, which mandates a federal standard for secure and reliable forms of 

identification used to gain access to secure facilities where there is 

a potential for terrorist attack. The Committee is aware of existing 

technology solutions to verify access credentials in real-time that 

may aid in implementation of this policy, and directs DHS to review the solutions and brief the Committee not later than 90 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $18,839,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 69,988,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 27,755,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +8,916,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥42,233,000 

The Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) appropriation provides support for the planning, operational development, engineering, and purchase of one or more assets prior to 

sustainment. Information technology included in the account provides useful software and hardware in an operational environment, 

including non-tangible assets. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $27,755,000 for PC&I, $42,233,000 

below the request and $8,916,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommended 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

Construction and Facility Improvements ............................................................ – – – – – – 

Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure ....................................................... $69,988,000 $27,755,000 

Total, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements .............................. $69,988,000 $27,755,000 

12 

With reservations, the Committee recommends $42,233,000 for 

financial systems modernization (FSM) as requested; this amount 

is included in a title V general provision. After many years of effort 

and an investment of $133,000,000, DHS has concluded that the 

Interior Business Center (IBC) at the U.S. Department of Interior 

is unable to deliver a fully auditable financial management solution that meets DHS’s requirements. Reasons for the failure of this 

effort are multi-fold, including inadequate program management, 

inexperienced staff, lack of transparency in communications and 

governance, IBC’s failure to understand the requirements and complexities of developing a solution for an agency of DHS’s size, and 

shortcomings in the initial discovery process, which should have 

better identified these challenges. Another critical factor is the initial OMB directive pushing the Department in the direction of a 

federal shared service provider, without which the Department 

may well have been more cautious in engaging the IBC. 

To mitigate the damage of this failed initiative, DHS is undertaking several actions. The first is to sever the three existing but 

incomplete software releases and any salvageable hardware from 

the IBC and determine an appropriate alternative hosting and software development vehicle. The second is to develop an acquisition 

strategy that can successfully modernize the financial systems for 

remaining DHS customers. To that end, DHS is directed to follow 

Management Directive 102–01 and to open any competition to private sector solutions. 

DHS is directed to work with the General Services Administration (GSA) to revise the Enhanced Plan for the build-out of the St. 

Elizabeths Complex, incorporating lessons learned from the ongoing Center Building renovation, and update the Committee on 

changes to the cost and schedule of the project. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $2,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 2,545,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 2,545,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +45,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Research and Development (R&D) Appropriation provides 

funds for prototype applications, technical demonstrations, planning, and development of emerging technologies that can be used 

to support DHS missions, primarily the Office of the Chief Information Officer. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $2,545,000 for R&D, 

$45,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

INTELLIGENCE, ANALYSIS, AND OPERATIONS COORDINATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $263,551,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 252,405,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 252,405,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥11,146,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

13 

Mission 

The missions supported through Intelligence, Analysis, and Operations Coordination are twofold: to equip the Homeland Security 

enterprise with timely intelligence and information to keep the 

homeland safe, secure, and resilient; and to provide operations coordination, information sharing, situational awareness, a common 

operating picture, and departmental continuity. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $263,551,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 252,405,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 252,405,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥11,146,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation supports the 

Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), which collects, evaluates, 

and disseminates intelligence information, and the Office of Operations Coordination, which provides incident management and 

operational coordination. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $252,405,000 for O&S, 

$11,146,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

Classified Programs 

Recommended adjustments to classified programs and more detailed oversight of funding for I&A are addressed in the classified 

annex accompanying this report. 

The Committee understands that the State of Texas is considering the relocation of the North Texas Fusion Center (NTFC) to 

the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where it would 

be co-located with DFW public safety assets, TSA, and the Federal 

Aviation Administration. DFW, which has the highest threat level 

of any critical infrastructure target in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, has a robust operation and 911 dispatch capability but lacks 

an intelligence center to collect, collate, analyze, and disseminate 

classified intelligence or public information regarding potential terrorist threats or criminal activity impacting the airport. Supported 

by the State of Texas and certified by DHS, the NTFC serves 20 

counties in North Texas with a cumulative population of approximately eight million people and 209 law enforcement agencies. The 

relocation of the NTFC is intended to create a command operations 

center capable of addressing all emerging threats in the North 

Texas region. Immediate benefits of this co-location include the 

alignment of tactical real time crime operations with advanced fusion intelligence analysis, and the rapid expansion of information 

sharing and analytic collaboration among North Texas public safety entities through geographic proximity. The Committee expects 

I&A to keep it apprised of this and other potential developments 

related to the state fusions centers. 

14 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $175,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 1 ..................................................... 133,974,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 154,830,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥20,170,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +20,856,000 1The budget request for fiscal year 2018 proposes a directed transfer of $24,000,000 to this account from 

the Disaster Relief Fund appropriation, resulting in a total requested funding level for the OIG of 

$157,974,000, 

Mission 

The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts and supervises independent audits, investigations, and inspections of the programs and operations of DHS, and recommends ways for DHS to 

carry out its responsibilities in the most effective, efficient, and economical manner possible. The OIG is charged with deterring, identifying, and addressing fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and waste of 

taxpayer funds invested in DHS. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $175,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 1 ..................................................... 133,974,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 154,830,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥20,170,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +20,856,000 11 The budget request for fiscal year 2018 proposes a directed transfer of $24,000,000 to this account from 

the Disaster Relief Fund appropriation, resulting in a total requested funding level for the OIG of 

$157,974,000, 

The Operations and Support (O&S) account supports OIG personnel, assessments of the Department’s risks and weaknesses, and 

the promotion of efficient and effective uses of limited resources. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $154,830,000 for O&S, $20,856,000 

above the amount requested and $20,170,000 below the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. Adding the proposed directed transfer 

of $24,000,000 to this account from the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund 

results in the recommendation being $3,044,000 below the amount 

requested. Of the funds provided, the OIG is directed to allocate 

not less than $20,856,000 to disaster-related investigations and audits. 

As ICE expands the number of jurisdictions participating in the 

287(g) program, it will be important to ensure that it has processes 

in place to monitor the performance of 287(g)-designated officers. 

The Committee directs the OIG to review ICE’s implementation 

and oversight of the 287(g) program, including training; data collection; civil liberties protections; and complaint processes. 

TITLE I—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

Section 101. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

requiring the Secretary to submit the Future Years Homeland Security Program at the same time as the President’s budget proposal. 

Section 102. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

requiring the Chief Financial Officer to submit monthly budget 

15 

execution and staffing reports within 30 days after the close of each 

month. 

Section 103. The Committee continues a provision regarding 

grants or contracts awarded by means other than full and open 

competition and requires the Inspector General to review them and 

report the results to the Committees. 

Section 104. The Committee continues a provision requiring the 

Secretary to link all contracts that provide award fees to successful 

acquisition outcomes. 

Section 105. The Committee continues a provision requiring the 

Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Treasury, to notify 

the Committees of any proposed transfers from the Department of 

Treasury Forfeiture Fund to any agency at DHS. 

Section 106. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

related to official costs of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary. 

Section 107. The Committee continues a provision requiring the 

Secretary to submit reports on visa overstay data and to post border security metrics on its website. 

TITLE II—SECURITY, ENFORCEMENT, AND 

INVESTIGATIONS 

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $12,186,881,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 13,907,061,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 13,813,035,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +1,626,154,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥94,026,000 

Mission 

The mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is to 

enforce laws regarding the admission of foreign-born persons into 

the United States, facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and travel, 

and ensure all persons and cargo enter the U.S. legally and safely 

through official checkpoints at ports of entry. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $11,175,449,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 11,592,341,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 11,553,315,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +377,866,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥39,026,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation funds all appropriated operating costs required to achieve CBP’s dual mission 

of preventing suspected terrorists, terrorist weapons, and other 

contraband from entering the United States, while also facilitating 

the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United 

States. The primary drivers behind these costs are the salaries and 

benefits of CBP operational and mission support personnel. The 

balance of this appropriation is comprised of the operations and 

maintenance costs necessary to sustain CBP equipment and facilities. 

16 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $11,553,315,000 for O&S, 

$39,026,000 below the amount requested and $377,866,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Included in the total is 

$3,274,000 derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The 

recommendation includes full funding for agent and officer hiring 

initiatives, although the Committee remains concerned with the 

ability of CBP to hire the requested staff. 

The fiscal year 2018 President’s budget request assumed 

$157,000,000 in revenue collections generated through the redirection of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) surcharge fee for Brand USA. The recommendation does not include 

the proposal as it requires new authorization legislation that has 

not been enacted and is not under the jurisdiction of the Committee. 

While the recommendation supports all hiring initiatives including the request for 500 new Border Patrol agents, it includes a reduction to the adjustment to base pay of $135,000,000 due to under 

execution of planned hiring in fiscal year 2017 and a re-estimation 

of the cost of various full-time equivalents (FTE) that were inaccurately or inconsistently priced. For the second year in a row, the 

CBP budget proposed a massive increase in excess of $260,000,000 

across all PPAs for ‘‘adjustments to base pay’’ associated with maturation of the workforce and annualization of prior year hiring. 

However, CBP has been unable to explain how the upward and 

downward adjustments were calculated, and how those adjustments align with FTE in the PPAs. Additionally, CBP has been unable to articulate which fiscal year 2017 positions are being 

annualized. 

The Committee remains concerned that attrition continues to 

outpace hiring at CBP. Over the last two years, Congress has routinely provided requested funding increases as CBP has explored 

new and innovative strategies to improve hiring processes and 

stem attrition. While some progress has been made in reducing the 

time it takes to hire, attrition has outpaced net hiring by 445 positions through the first eight months of fiscal year 2017, a loss of 

capability that cannot continue. To expand the hiring pool, CBP 

should consider allowing field level offices to take the lead on recruiting. Agents and officers know their communities and are likely 

the best face of CBP for potential recruits. Another potential approach would be to use exhibitions of the Border Patrol Pistol 

Team as a recruitment tool, particularly if paired with the establishment of a marksmanship program. CBP is directed to brief the 

Committee not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 

this Act on its progress in addressing its continued critical human 

capital challenges, to include an assessment of these and any other 

new hiring or retention strategies it is considering. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Border Security Operations 

U.S. Border Patrol 

Operations ......................................................................................... $3,787,694,000 $3,787,694,000 

17 

Budget Request Recommended 

Assets and Support .......................................................................... 670,895,000 653,895,000 

Office of Training and Development ......................................................... 77,512,000 77,512,000 

Subtotal, Border Security Operations ...................................... 4,536,101,000 4,519,101,000 

Trade and Travel Operations 

Office of Field Operations 

Domestic Operations ......................................................................... 2,681,171,000 2,833,171,000 

International Operations ................................................................... 142,272,000 142,272,000 

Targeting Operations ........................................................................ 236,572,000 221,572,000 

Assets and Support .......................................................................... 840,315,000 840,315,000 

Office of Trade ........................................................................................... 263,301,000 252,926,000 

Office of Training and Development ......................................................... 47,186,000 47,186,000 

Subtotal, Trade and Travel Operations ................................... 4,210,817,000 4,337,442,000 

Integrated Operations 

Air and Marine Operations 

Operations ......................................................................................... 311,136,000 301,414,000 

Assets and Support .......................................................................... 520,046,000 520,046,000 

Air and Marine Operations Center ................................................... 46,183,000 46,183,000 

Office of International Affairs ................................................................... 39,784,000 39,784,000 

Office of Intelligence ................................................................................. 50,984,000 50,984,000 

Office of Training and Development ......................................................... 6,534,000 6,534,000 

Operations Support .................................................................................... 103,571,000 103,571,000 

Subtotal, Integrated Operations .............................................. 1,078,238,000 1,068,516,000 

Mission Support 

Enterprise Services .................................................................................... 1,460,254,000 1,459,325,000 

(Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund) .................................................... (3,274,000) (3,274,000) 

Office of Professional Responsibility ......................................................... 204,679,000 201,679,000 

Executive Leadership and Oversight ......................................................... 102,252,000 102,252,000 

Subtotal, Mission Support ....................................................... 1,767,185,000 1,763,256,000 

Adjustment to Base Pay Reduction – – – ¥135,000,000 

Total, Operations and Support ................................................ $11,592,341,000 $11,553,315,000 

Border Security Operations 

The Committee recommends $4,519,101,000 for Border Security 

Operations, $17,000,000 below the amount requested and 

$178,658,000 above the amount provided for fiscal year 2017. The 

recommendation includes the following changes to the request: a 

decrease of $20,000,000 from facilities and an increase of 

$3,000,000 for electronic global information system efforts to incorporate real-time activity, blue force tracking, and supporting data 

and infrastructure to better visualize operations and support critical analytic mapping. 

The Committee strongly supports small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for surveillance of the border and directs CBP to provide a briefing on the results on the ongoing demonstration efforts 

for small UAS and planned procurements not later than 30 days 

after the completion of the demonstrations. 

The Committee notes that CBP uses an oversight framework and 

procedures that ensure that the use of its UAS is in compliance 

with privacy and civil liberty laws and standards. To effectively 

monitor such compliance, the Committee expects DHS to track the 

number of times these systems are used along the border, in a maritime environment, or in support of state, local, and tribal law enforcement entities, and directs DHS to make this information publicly available. 

18 

The Committee is aware of new, innovative uses of fiber optic 

technology for intrusion detection and communications. CBP is directed to review this type of technology and brief the Committee 

not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act on 

the feasibility and potential benefit of incorporating it into its border security systems. 

The Committee directs CBP to provide an update, within 60 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, on its integrated strategy 

for controlling Carrizo cane along the Rio Grande in Texas. The update should include the current status and results of bio-control activities; an inventory of border acreage that requires control of 

Carrizo cane to support Border Patrol operations; the percentage of 

such acreage that is routinely controlled through bio-control agents, 

mechanical topping, or a combination of the two; the annual cost 

of such control activities; goals for increasing the acreage on which 

Carrizo cane is routinely controlled; additional funding required to 

achieve such goals; challenges to achieving such goals; and related 

efforts to collaborate with the Science and Technology Directorate, 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Texas State Soil and 

Water Conservation Board, and the Government of Mexico. 

The Committee directs CBP to survey Border Patrol stations 

along the southwest border, as appropriate, regarding the number 

and effectiveness of rescue beacons within their areas of responsibility (AOR); the criteria used to determine where rescue beacons 

can be usefully placed; and where additional rescue beacons placed 

within their AOR could help save lives. Within 90 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, CBP shall brief the Committee on 

its search and rescue efforts during fiscal year 2017, including (1) 

the number of deaths, by sector and cause of death; (2) the number 

of rescue beacons, frequency of beacon activation, and rescues in response to beacon activation, by sector; (3) the results of the survey 

of Border Patrol stations on rescue beacons; and (4) options for reducing the number of migrant deaths along the border, including 

an assessment on the effectiveness of water supply sites and rescue 

beacons and the potential for increased collaboration with non-governmental organizations. 

Border Patrol sector chiefs often have the most comprehensive 

understanding of the challenges faced in their geographic AOR. 

The Committee encourages all state, local, tribal, and federal law 

enforcement agencies working in the southwest border region to 

collaborate and operationally coordinate, when feasible, with sector 

chiefs in their respective geographical regions. 

The Committee directs CBP to collect and publicly report on its 

website data pertaining to all checkpoints, transportation checks, 

and roving patrol stops, to be updated semi-annually with all necessary redactions of personally identifiable information about specific individuals. For roving patrols, the data should include: (1) the 

total number of use of force incidents and arrests by location; (2) 

the citizenship status of subjects arrested; and (3) the amount and 

type of property seized. For transportation checks, the data should 

include: (1) a description of the boarding of public conveyance by 

CBP in air, maritime and ground stations, ports, and terminals 

when an arrest is made; (2) the total number of use of force incidents and arrests by location; (3) the citizenship status when an arrest is made; and (4) the amount and type of property seized. For 

19 

checkpoints, the data should include (1) the location of all tactical 

and permanent checkpoints that were in operation for any period 

of time; (2) the total number of use of force incidents and arrests 

by location; (3) the citizenship status of subjects arrested following 

secondary inspection; (4) the amount and type of property seized; 

and (5) a description of how the agency uses information collected 

by cameras and license plate readers. 

Trade and Travel Operations 

The Committee recommends $4,337,442,000 for Trade and Travel 

Operations, $126,625,000 above the amount requested and 

$152,279,000 above the amount provided for fiscal year 2017. The 

recommendation includes the following decreases to the request: 

$5,000,000 from the new Commercial Technology Innovation Program initiative; $10,375,000 from the Office of Trade increase due 

to incorrect pricing of FTEs; and $15,000,000 from the proposed 

National Targeting Center (NTC) enhancements. While the Committee strongly supports CBP’s targeting efforts, the Committee 

notes that NTC funding has almost quadrupled in just four years. 

The Committee directs CBP to provide a detailed expenditure 

plan for biometric exit activities within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act, as directed in House Report 114–668. 

The workload staffing model used by CBP indicates the need for 

more than 2,000 additional officers at the ports of entry. The Department has again proposed increases to immigration inspection 

fees to support these required officers that are unlikely to be enacted by Congress. Because most foreign-source illegal drugs and 

contraband are transported through the ports of entry, the Committee expects future budget requests to propose additional discretionary resources to help close the gap in requirements for CBP officers at the ports. 

While CBP’s resource allocation model has greatly improved its 

ability to make informed staffing decisions, the Committee understands that CBP must routinely update the model to account for 

new trade and travel data and to address any newly identified 

gaps, including airport expansions. Any modifications to the model 

shall be described in the fiscal year 2019 budget. To avoid law enforcement and security sensitivities, CBP is encouraged to provide 

staffing requirements at the field office level and to continue to 

work with expanding airports on options to alleviate wait times. 

House Report 114–668 encouraged CBP to work with the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture to explore how existing staff can be leveraged to better address the agriculture inspection workload, such 

as through the authorization of additional work hours or dual certification. The Committee expects the Department to continue to 

work to alleviate personnel constraints placed on ports of entry, 

particularly those on the U.S.-Mexico border with regard to 

phytosanitary certifications for exported goods. 

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, CBP 

shall report to the Committee on the following for all ports of entry: 

the methodology for allocating officer overtime resources; the overtime funding levels for fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017, at the national, regional, and port of entry levels; the number of officers who 

received overtime pay in those years; and the number that reached 

the overtime cap in those years, at the national, regional, and port 

20 

of entry levels. The report should also address the process for determining official hours of operation at a port of entry, and how the 

hours might be changed to accommodate airport and airline schedules. 

The Committee notes that CBP is taking steps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its automated cargo processing system 

for tractor-trailers crossing our nation’s land borders, including 

launching a proof-of-concept pilot at the Juarez-Lincoln Port of 

Entry in Laredo, Texas. The Committee urges CBP to continue to 

prioritize these activities and directs CBP to provide a briefing on 

its efforts to improve automated cargo processing for tractor-trailers at land ports of entry not later than 60 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act. 

The Committee reminds CBP that its donation acceptance authority requires it to take into account the impact of each donation 

proposal on nearby ports of entry; the operations and maintenance 

costs related to such donation; and the impact of the proposed donation on staffing requirements. Donations should not have the effect of diverting resources, including CBP officers, to one port of 

entry at the expense of another. 

CBP should provide regular updates on its public website regarding its progress in implementing recommendations from GAO Report 16–542, Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: CBP Action 

Needed to Reduce Duty Processing Errors and Mitigate Nonpayment 

Risk, and on the status of implementing the requirements of Executive Order 13785, Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violation of 

Trade and Customs Laws. 

The Committee directs CBP to provide, within 90 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, a report on the following for a representative group of domestic sea ports of entry for each of the 

prior three fiscal years: the estimated value of all goods entered for 

consumption; the percentage of maritime cargo scanned with nonintrusive inspection (NII) technology; the annual manpower, nonmanpower recurring, and non-recurring costs incurred, including 

the number and cost of NII equipment; the value and types of contraband interdicted; and annual revenue generated in duties, taxes, 

and fees. 

During testimony before the Committee, a CBP official confirmed 

that, due to space constraints at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, it temporarily denied entry to the United States to some 

individuals who asserted a fear of returning to their home countries or an intention to seek asylum under U.S. law. More recently, 

the Committee has become aware of allegations that instances of 

this practice may be continuing. While the Committee understands 

that the OIG is reviewing the circumstances of such denials, it 

urges DHS to take appropriate steps to ensure that the United 

States is meeting its legal obligations to asylum seekers, such as 

through guidance to the field reminding officers and agents about 

CBP’s legal responsibilities. 

The Committee remains concerned that the agency has adopted 

a policy that disallows drawback claims under section 1313(j)(2) for 

refund of taxes imposed on certain imported products. As noted in 

House Report 114–668, CBP is required to refund any duties, 

taxes, and fees imposed on imported products if they are later exVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
21 

ported or destroyed, or if commercially interchangeable products 

manufactured in the United States are subsequently exported. The 

Committee strongly encourages CBP to quickly complete and provide to the Committees the related report directed in House Report 

114–668. 

Consistent with House Report 114–668, the Committee strongly 

encourages CBP to give priority consideration to an application for 

port of entry status to any user fee airport that served at least 

75,000 deplaned international passengers in the previous calendar 

year. The recommendation includes not less than $11,000,000 for the 

border security deployment program. CBP is encouraged to continue to procure license plate reader technology. 

Currently CBP and the Science and Technology Directorate are 

working to assess commercially available drive-through X-ray imaging systems to determine the operational throughput that can be 

achieved for personal vehicles and commercial cargo (trucks and 

buses) in primary, secondary, and outbound lanes. Such technology 

could significantly advance CBP’s ability to intercept contraband at 

the ports of entry by using low to medium energy systems that 

allow a driver to remain in a vehicle while the inspection occurs; 

combination backscatter and transmission capability to increase 

material discrimination; under-vehicle inspection that provides a 

clear picture of the undercarriage with the ability to zoom into specific spots for a closer view; and smaller footprint designs. Not later 

than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, CBP shall 

brief the Committee on the status of the assessment, including a 

plan for demonstrating how promising systems would operate at a 

port of entry and the estimated cost of implementing such systems. 

CBP is encouraged to continue its collaboration with the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on the re-engineering of the FWS 

Message Set for the Automated Commercial Environment, with 

pilot testing initiated as soon as is feasible. Providing a centralized 

online access point to connect CBP, the trade community, and partner government agencies will enhance government data collection 

for international trade transactions while expediting cargo processing and protecting against prohibited shipments. 

When international airports have insufficient volumes of international passenger arrivals to justify the use of non-reimbursable 

inspection services by CBP, they obtain such services by paying a 

fee. When a domestic airport is attempting to become a User Fee 

Airport (UFA) so that it can begin receiving international flights, 

it must obtain the support of its state governor, develop a business 

plan, install inspection facilities, and complete a Memorandum of 

Agreement with CBP. The Committee encourages CBP to work 

closely with airports applying to become UFAs and provide constructive feedback on navigating the UFA process. 

House Report 114–668 required the Department to brief the 

Committee on the results of the Request for Information (RFI) soliciting proposals to improve maritime cargo security and make 

progress towards achieving the 100 percent overseas scanning requirement, and any promising proposals, best practices, and pilots 

that could be realistically implemented within the next two years. 

To date, the Committee has not received the results or a briefing 

on the RFI responses. Therefore, the Committee directs the DepartVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
22 

ment to brief the committee on the status the RFI responses no 

later than September 15, 2017. 

The Committee directs CBP to brief the committee within 120 

days of the date of enactment of this Act on a plan to develop a 

risk-based assessment and importer intelligence capability in compliance with section 115 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (TFTEA) (Pub. L. 114–125). 

There has been tremendous growth in imported products that are 

certified organic under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic standards. Imported products that are certified organic are not currently tracked, so the total quantity and 

origin of imported organic products is unknown. The Committee 

urges CBP to add questions into the Automated Commercial Environment to track imported products that are certified organic 

under USDA organic standards. 

Integrated Operations 

The Committee recommends $1,068,516,000 for Integrated Operations, $9,722,000 below the amount requested and $36,696,000 

above the amount provided for fiscal year 2017. The recommendation includes a decrease of $9,722,000 due to the repricing of requested FTE for Air and Marine Operations (AMO). 

The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS), which has been a 

critical surveillance capability used to help maintain operational 

control of the U.S. southern border and associated air space for 

over 30 years, has exceeded its intended operating service life. The 

fiscal year 2017 Act provided $18,142,000 for the deployment of two 

TARS technology enhancements, to include the field testing of key 

technologies identified in the analysis of alternatives that have performed well in Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The Committee directs CBP to provide a briefing not later than 60 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act on the status of the field 

test and plans for recapitalization of the system. 

While the Committee believes that UAS provide a vital situational awareness capability to CBP, the agency has struggled to increase flight hours using the existing fleet. Not later than 60 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, CBP shall brief the Committee on the appropriate number of pilots, support personnel, and 

UAS required to achieve 24/7 operations on the border. The brief 

should also address the various standards for UAS pilots and how 

the standards differ from those of DoD. 

Mission Support 

The Committee recommends $1,763,256,000 for Mission Support, 

$3,929,000 below the amount requested and $145,233,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

To improve oversight on the execution of funding for personnel, 

the Committee expects CBP to submit a report not later than 15 

days after the end of each month on staffing numbers, to include 

gains and losses by pay period during the month. 

With regard to the submission of expenditure plans directed 

under the Office of the Chief Financial Officer heading in title I of 

this report, the Committee directs that CBP’s plan also include obligation and budget execution data by PPA, sub-PPA, project, and 

23 

sub-project or severable end item for multi-year funding appropriated in prior years; anticipated carryover; and the planned obligation of carryover in future years until all funds are obligated. 

The Committee encourages the Department to use an independent project delivery system to help manage the design, construction, and operation of southwest border infrastructure. The 

project delivery system should provide a single common operating 

picture to all federal agencies and contractors engaged in the development of infrastructure so that program managers can exert appropriate control over factors affecting cost, schedule, change orders, unnecessary rework, sensor coverage optimization, and eminent domain decisions. 

The Committee continues to direct CBP to report the death of 

any individual in CBP custody or the death of any individual subsequent to the use of force by CBP personnel within 24 hours, including relevant details regarding the circumstances of the fatality. 

The Committee is aware of new, innovative technologies, to include ocular motor-based technologies, that have been deployed 

internationally to combat insider threats, vet immigration and 

other applications, and can be used together with polygraph tests 

to reduce the time and cost associated with pre-employment screening while improving efficiency. The Committee directs the Department to review new technologies that may be effective in improving 

the hiring process and increasing vetting accuracy, and provide a 

briefing to the Committee on the results not later than 60 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee remains concerned with the attrition rate among 

CBP officers and agents and understands that compensation levels 

may be contributing to the problem. CBP is directed to brief the 

Committee not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 

this Act on options to address pay parity relative to other DHS 

components and other federal law enforcement agencies, as well as 

on the potential use of special pays. 

CBP is currently conducting a six-month trial of an alternative 

polygraph exam, the Test for Espionage, Sabotage, and Corruption 

(TES–C), for its law enforcement personnel as part of an effort to 

make the hiring process more efficient and effective at weeding out 

ineligible applicants. The trial was initiated because CBP determined that the Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Test (LEPET), 

which CBP has used historically, takes longer than necessary, imprecisely focuses on CBP’s criteria for disqualifying past drug use, 

and is unnecessarily adversarial in approach. CBP worked with the 

National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) to adapt an existing exam, the Test for Espionage and Sabotage (TES), to focus 

more heavily on corruption, resulting in the NCCA-approved TES– 

C that CBP is currently piloting. As directed by Congress in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115–31, CBP intends to directly compare the results of using the TES–C with 

those of the LEPET for similar populations to ensure that any future adoption of the TES–C on a permanent basis does not introduce risk into the hiring process. Separately from the TES–C trial, 

CBP is also taking steps to improve its approach to the continuous 

evaluation of current personnel throughout their career at CBP. 

The Committee expects CBP to be fully transparent regarding the 

results and analysis of the TES–C trial, including the posting of all 

24 

non-sensitive information regarding the trial on its public website. 

A detailed report to congressional committees of jurisdiction on the 

results of the trial is due upon its completion. 

The Committee directs DHS to provide a report not later than 90 

days after the date of enactment of this Act describing in detail 

how it is complying with the Buy American Act and Kissel Amendment including what measures it is taking to ensure compliance. 

The report shall also include the following: the total number of uniforms purchased in fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017; the estimated cost for uniforms to be manufactured and produced outside 

and inside the United States; and status of all contracts for uniform procurement. 

The Committee is concerned by a reported increase in individuals 

fraudulently entering the United States on non-immigrant visas in 

order to give birth in this country. While individuals are welcome 

to come to the U.S. on a tourist or other visa, it is against the law 

to apply for admission under false pretenses. The Committee is 

also concerned with reports that different ports of entry may not 

be consistently applying CBP guidance in this area, allowing individuals seeking to exploit the visa process to direct pregnant 

women to specific ports of entry with more lenient admission practices. The Committee directs CBP to investigate these fraud allegations and take steps to ensure that admission criteria are applied 

uniformly across ports of entry. 

The Committee notes that the Acting Commissioner recently directed the formation of a CBP working group to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement in the ability of AMO 

to satisfy air and marine support requirements for the Border Patrol and other departmental components. The Committee encourages the working group to ensure that it also considers the need 

for AMO support in critical source and transit zones. CBP is directed to provide regular updates on the schedule and progress of 

the working group, and to brief the Committee on the recommendations it makes to the Acting Commissioner. Until AMO is capable 

of fulfilling support requirements for the Border Patrol, the Committee urges CBP to continue to request air surveillance support 

from DoD through Operation Phalanx. 

The Committee is concerned by reports of the separation of some 

family units after apprehension by CBP or prior to crossing the 

border. CBP should ensure that processing decisions consider family unity as a primary factor and, to the greatest extent possible, 

that separated family units are reunited prior to removal, release 

from CBP custody, or transfer to ICE or Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody. 

The Committee is aware of concerns that CBP activities and policies may sometimes lack public transparency and may be subject 

to inadequate data collection and reporting. The Committee directs 

CBP to reiterate its commitment to a policy of ‘‘maximum disclosure, minimum delay’’ in releasing information to the media and 

public; continue to post all policies and guidelines that may be of 

interest to the public on the agency’s website; and continue—or expand as practicable—data collection that more effectively detects 

and deters abuse, strengthens accountability, and ensures effective 

use of limited resources. 

25 

Beginning within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 

CBP shall report to the Committee on the numbers of detainees 

currently held by CBP for more than 48 and 72 hours, respectively. 

This reporting should be updated monthly and include a list of all 

CBP facilities used for holding detainees, including the average 

daily population and daily population at the time of publication. The recommendation includes $5,000,000, as proposed for continued demonstrations and infrastructure investments associated with 

the CBP Camera Technology Initiative. The Committee understands that funds provided in the fiscal year 2017 Department of 

Homeland Security Appropriations Act for this program will be 

used for a Camera Technology Operational Demonstration and 

Evaluation of Incident-Driven Video Recording Systems (IVDRS), 

which combines Body Worn Cameras, Vehicle Mounted Cameras, 

and fixed cameras in selected operational environments. CBP plans 

to evaluate the procured cameras in the field setting in the coming 

months and will continue to develop its operational and technical 

requirements for incident-based camera technology, including data 

infrastructure and security needs, policy and privacy considerations, and collective bargaining obligations. CBP currently plans 

to use fiscal year 2018 funding to finish the IDVRS demonstrations 

and to support an independent evaluation of the program. 

The Committee expects CBP, working with the DHS Office for 

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the DHS Privacy Office, to establish clear policies on the use of cameras to ensure they protect 

the privacy of both CBP personnel and the public. Within 60 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, CBP shall brief the Committee on its plans for taking the camera initiative from the demonstration phase to the operational phase. The briefing should also 

address CBP’s policies for how and when such devices will be used; 

how CBP will alert members of the public when cameras are in operation; how recorded data will be controlled; the period of time 

such data will be retained; and who will have access to such data, 

including individuals recorded and CBP personnel, and under what 

circumstances. 

The recommendation includes $3,307,000 to hire 30 additional 

criminal investigators in the Office of Professional Responsibility. 

This funding is in addition to $10,972,000 provided for 40 additional criminal investigators in the fiscal year 2017 Act. These new 

positions will support the thorough vetting of new law enforcement 

personnel and the timely investigation of corruption and use of 

force allegations involving CBP personnel. The Committee directs 

CBP to make information on corruption and use of force allegations 

publicly available on its website, including at a minimum: (1) a description of each case reviewed by a national Use of Force Review 

Board (UFRB) and a summary of the UFRB’s findings; (2) a description of each case addressed through CBP’s internal review 

process and a summary of the findings; (3) a statistical summary 

of local UFRB activity; and (4) a description of any changes to policy, tactics, or training that were made based on CBP’s or the 

UFRB’s findings and the timeline for their implementation. 

The Committee directs CBP to provide a briefing not later than 

60 days after the date of enactment of this Act on border search 

authorities and how such authorities are implemented. The briefing shall cover federal statutes and regulations that allow for the 

26 

inspection of baggage and merchandise, including electronic devices, arriving into the U.S. Customs territory from places outside 

the United States. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $771,017,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 2,063,719,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 2,008,719,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +1,237,702,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥55,000,000 

The Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) appropriation provides funds necessary for the planning, operational 

development, engineering, and purchase of one or more assets (end 

items) prior to sustainment. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $2,008,719,000 for PC&I, 

$55,000,000 below the amount requested and $1,237,702,000 above 

the amount provided for fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvement 

Border Security Assets and Infrastructure ......................................................... $1,715,163,000 $1,702,163,000

Trade and Travel Assets and Infrastructure ...................................................... 109,240,000 109,240,000 

Integrated Operations Assets and Infrastructure 

Airframes and Sensors .............................................................................. 137,335,000 106,335,000 

Watercraft .................................................................................................. 3,573,000 3,573,000

Other Systems and Assets ........................................................................ 12,200,000 1,200,000 

Construction and Facility Improvements ............................................................ 59,775,000 59,775,000 

Mission Support Assets and Improvements ....................................................... 26,433,000 26,433,000 

Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ $2,063,719,000 $2,008,719,000 

Border Security Assets and Infrastructure 

The Committee recommends $1,702,163,000 for Border Security 

Assets and Infrastructure, $13,000,000 below the amount requested 

and $1,169,121,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The recommendation includes the requested $1,571,239,000 for 

border infrastructure construction, including: $784,000,000 for 32 

miles of new border fencing in Rio Grande Valley (RGV), TX; 

$498,000,000 for 28 miles of new levee wall in RGV, and 

$251,000,000 for 14 miles of secondary fencing in San Diego, CA. 

This funding is in addition to funding appropriated in fiscal year 

2017 to replace 40 miles of primary fencing, including: $15,000,000 

for 2 miles in El Centro, CA; $102,000,000 for 14 miles in San 

Diego, CA; and $175,000,000 for 24 miles in El Paso, TX. 

‘‘CBP is directed to post on its website information regarding its 

plans and activities, as appropriate, related to the construction of 

new physical infrastructure along the southern border, including 

related activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 

and the use of funds transferred to USACE for such activities. 

Additionally, as requested, the recommendation includes: $8,955,000 for Cross Border Tunnel Threat; $17,438,000 for InteVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
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grated Fixed Towers; $1,600,000 for Mobile Video Surveillance Systems; $20,000,000 for Unattended Ground Sensors; and 

$49,738,000 for border road construction. The recommendation decreases Remote Video Surveillance Systems due to the inability to 

execute the funds for production in fiscal year 2018. 

Trade and Travel Assets and Infrastructure 

The Committee recommends $109,240,000 for Trade and Travel 

Assets and Infrastructure for non-intrusive inspection systems, the 

same as the amount requested and $38,098,000 above the amount 

provided for fiscal year 2017. 

Integrated Operations Assets and Infrastructure 

The Committee recommends $111,108,000 for Integrated Operations Assets and Infrastructure, $42,000,000 below the amount requested and $4,950,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 

2017. As requested, the recommendation includes: $55,530,000 for 

two multi-role enforcement aircraft; $3,300,000 for FAA Next Generation radar systems; $7,800,000 for various sensor upgrades; 

$14,034,000 for one medium lift helicopter; and $13,250,000 for tactical communications. The recommendation also includes 

$12,321,000 for two light enforcement helicopters, a reduction of 

$31,000,000 due to anticipated acquisition delays. 

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $6,435,240,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 7,565,462,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 7,054,942,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +619,702,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥510,520,000 

Mission 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforces federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration to promote homeland security and public safety. 

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is responsible for disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal threats facing the 

United States. HSI special agents also conduct national security investigations targeting violations of the nation’s customs and immigration laws. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) enforces 

the nation’s immigration laws by identifying and apprehending removable aliens, detaining apprehended individuals when necessary, 

and removing them from the United States in a manner consistent 

with legal processes and procedures. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $6,405,440,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 7,512,563,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 7,002,043,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +596,603,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥510,520,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation supports the 

prevention of terrorism, securing the nation’s borders, enforcing 

28 

U.S. immigration laws, and safeguarding cyberspace through the 

enforcement of federal laws governing trade and travel. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $7,002,043,000 for O&S, 

$510,520,000 below the amount requested and $596,603,000 above 

the amount provided for fiscal year 2017. Of the total, the bill recommends two years of funding availability for the amount of 

$20,000,000 for activities authorized under 18 U.S.C. 2510–2522, 

and $13,700,000 for the Visa Security Program and investigations 

abroad. 

The Committee’s recommendation promotes the goals of: enforcing all immigration and customs laws; investigating and dismantling transnational criminal organizations, including those that 

traffic and smuggle people—especially children—as well as narcotics, weapons, and other contraband into the United States; 

ascertaining facts about the composition of the detained and nondetained alien population in removal proceedings and their legal 

claims; screening 100 percent of visa applications; and increasing 

the size of the workforce. 

The Committee notes that ICE’s request for 51,379 detention 

beds was predicated on a combination of several factors, including 

an average daily population (ADP) of over 42,000 detainees at the 

start of the fiscal year; a major increase in detentions resulting 

from the addition of 1,000 officers and agents; expanded 287(g) participation; and the reinstatement of the Secure Communities program. The ADP for the beginning of fiscal year 2018 is now projected to be 38,000, and the process of hiring and training new personnel will delay any significant increase in the number of ICE officers for interior enforcement until late in fiscal year 2018. Therefore, the recommendation supports an ADP of 44,000, which is an 

increase of 4,676 beds and $704,530,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee’s recommendation includes full funding for the 

request to hire 1,606 additional officers, agents, and support staff. 

However, ICE’s budget request for pay and benefits was built on 

the assumption of ending fiscal year 2017 with 20,570 personnel 

onboard and annualized the cost for that level of manning to determine the pay baseline for fiscal year 2018. Given current manning 

levels, hiring, and attrition, ICE will likely fall short of that estimate by over 1,000 positions, reducing the amount required in fiscal year 2018. Therefore, the Committee includes a $92,950,000 decrease to the baseline for expected under execution of salary and 

benefits. 

The Committee is concerned about the findings of the OIG regarding over 850 aliens who were granted U.S. citizenship even 

though they had previously been ordered removed under another 

identity (OIG–16–130). At issue was the unavailability of digital 

fingerprint records that could have accurately identified these individuals and their ineligibility for naturalization. According to the 

report, ICE has identified 148,000 older fingerprint records that 

have not yet been digitized for aliens with final deportation orders 

or who have criminal records or are fugitives. Until these records 

have been digitized and included in DHS and FBI fingerprint databases, USCIS risks making additional immigration benefit deciVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
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sions without complete information, potentially resulting in the 

naturalization of more individuals who may be ineligible for citizenship or who may be trying to obtain U.S. citizenship fraudulently. Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, ICE 

shall brief the Committee on its progress in digitizing paper based 

fingerprint records, as well as the status of efforts to identify and 

refer to the Department of Justice the individuals identified in the 

OIG report. 

As noted in title I of this report, the Committee is concerned that 

ICE lacks a comprehensive plan to systematically replace vehicles 

and radios, which are key tools of the trade for law enforcement officers. Over 3,800 vehicles operated by HSI, representing 50 percent of the HSI fleet, are eligible for replacement based on age or 

mileage, and 11,000 vehicular and mobile radios will be obsolete by 

the year 2020 because the manufacturer no longer produces them 

and will not guarantee the availability of parts by that time. The 

estimated cost to replace these assets exceeds $190,000,000, a bill 

neither the Department nor the Congress can afford to provide in 

a lump sum. With the projected growth in the size of the investigative force, this requirement will only increase over time. Within 60 

days after the date of enactment of this Act, ICE shall brief the 

Committee on its plans to recapitalize and replace vehicles and radios. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Homeland Security Investigations 

Domestic Investigations ............................................................................ $1,798,095,000 $1,810,095,000 

International Investigations ....................................................................... 140,873,000 158,873,000 

Intelligence ................................................................................................ 79,905,000 79,905,000 

Subtotal, Homeland Security Investigations .................................... 2,018,873,000 2,048,873,000 

Enforcement and Removal Operations 

Custody Operations .................................................................................... 3,601,472,000 3,240,596,000 

Fugitive Operations .................................................................................... 184,668,000 184,668,000 

Criminal Alien Program ............................................................................. 412,080,000 412,080,000 

Alternatives to Detention ........................................................................... 177,700,000 177,700,000 

Transportation and Removal Program ...................................................... 484,894,000 398,200,000 

Subtotal, Enforcement and Removal Operations ............................. 4,860,814,000 4,413,244,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 350,391,000 350,391,000 

Office of the Principal Legal Advisor ................................................................. 282,485,000 282,485,000 

Adjustment to Base Pay Reduction .................................................................... – – – ¥92,950,000 

Total, Operations and Support ......................................................... $7,512,563,000 $7,002,043,000 

Homeland Security Investigations 

The Committee recommends $2,048,873,000 for HSI, $30,000,000 

above the request and $24,320,000 below the amount provided in 

fiscal year 2017. 

Domestic Investigations. The Committee recommends a total of 

$1,810,095,000 for Domestic Investigations for high-priority mission areas, including activities at the Child Exploitation Unit at 

the Cyber Crime Center and Operation Angel Watch; commercial 

fraud and intellectual property rights enforcement; anti-proliferaVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
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tion; gangs and transnational criminal organizations; cybercrimes 

investigations; and anti-terrorism activities. 

The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2018 request did not 

include funding within Domestic Investigations to sustain enhancements for programs of ongoing congressional interest, such as the 

Angel Watch Center, the Child Exploitation Unit, and human trafficking investigations. It has been clear through report language 

and increased funding that these programs are a Committee priority. The recommendation includes $12,000,000 to sustain these 

programs at fiscal year 2017 levels. ICE is directed to maintain the 

increased levels of effort for all high-priority mission areas, including child exploitation and human trafficking activities, when preparing its budget submission for fiscal year 2019. 

Within the amount provided, not less than $5,000,000 is to enhance the Angel Watch Center and investigations into severe forms 

of human trafficking, and to expand investigations against suspected human traffickers. The Committee encourages ICE to work 

with appropriate nonprofit organizations and victim service providers to improve the training of ICE officers in the field to assist 

in the identification of human trafficking victims and provide appropriate referrals to victim service organizations. 

Not less than $305,000 is to promote public awareness of the 

child pornography tip line and not less than $15,770,000 is for investigations of forced labor law violations, to include forced child 

labor. ICE is directed to continue to submit an annual report on 

expenditures and performance metrics associated with forced labor 

law enforcement activities. 

Of the amount provided, not less than $5,000,000 is to enhance 

child exploitation investigations. The Committee strongly supports 

the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) Child-Rescue 

Corps, a partnership among HSI and the U.S. Special Operations 

Command, and the National Association to Protect Children. Under 

this program, wounded and injured Special Operations Forces veterans are trained in high-tech computer forensics and law enforcement to support investigations into online child sexual exploitation. 

HERO interns who graduate from the program are placed into fulltime positions with ICE, other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and other organizations that require personnel with 

specialized computer forensic skills. The Committee directs ICE to 

sustain prior year enhancements for dedicated personnel and funding for the HERO program and related Computer Forensic Analyst 

positions focused on child exploitation investigations. In addition, 

ICE should continue to train at least two classes of HEROs annually through the program and employ HERO graduates at ICE or 

place them with other agencies or organizations with related missions. The Committee continues to support the concept of instituting a paid apprenticeship in lieu of the current unpaid internship for HERO participants, and directs ICE to brief the Committee on options for establishing paid apprenticeships within 30 

days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The recommendation includes $15,000,000 for intellectual property enforcement through HSI, including the National Intellectual 

Property Rights Coordination Center (NIPRCC). The Committee directs ICE to ensure that the NIPRCC is properly staffed in order 

31 

to facilitate continued enforcement actions against theft of U.S. intellectual property, particularly online. 

Based on a new wave of digital copyright piracy involving devices 

and software that connect consumers’ televisions directly to copyright-theft sites, the Committee also directs ICE to increase investigation and enforcement to thwart illicit streaming involving 

media boxes and televisions. In addition, the next iteration of the 

annual report on federal intellectual property enforcement activities required by the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 (15 U.S.C 8114) should provide specific details regarding online copyright piracy enforcement activities. 

International Investigations. The Committee recommends 

$158,873,000 for International Investigations, $18,000,000 above 

the request and $162,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 

2017. 

This funding enables HSI agents in 62 offices in 46 countries to 

conduct law enforcement activities and provide investigative support to domestic offices in combating transnational crime focusing 

on human smuggling and trafficking; trafficking of narcotics, 

money, weapons, and sensitive technologies; and sexual exploitation of children, including child sex tourism. HSI partners with 

foreign and domestic counterparts to conduct international law enforcement operations and support removals from the United States. 

Within the total for International Investigations, the Committee recommends $32,128,000 for the Visa Security Program (VSP), 

$18,000,000 above the request. 

VSP currently screens visa applicants at 32 visa-issuing posts in 

28 countries to protect the U.S. against terrorists and criminal organizations by preventing foreign nationals who pose a threat to 

national security from entering or residing within the United 

States. ICE agents collaborate with their security and intelligence 

partners to enhance existing information and identify previously 

unknown threats, instead of solely denying travel to suspect travelers. 

ICE is directed to continue to expand the VSP program where 

operationally feasible at high threat posts abroad and to fully program and budget for this sustained level of operations and growth 

in its fiscal year 2019 budget request. 

Enforcement and Removal Operations 

The Committee recommends $4,413,244,000 for ERO, 

$447,570,000 below the amount requested and $704,530,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation enables ERO to successfully execute its mission of enforcing the nation’s immigration laws by identifying and apprehending removable 

aliens, detaining apprehended individuals when necessary, and removing them from the United States in a manner consistent with 

legal processes and procedures. 

The Committee fully supports ICE’s efforts to enhance public 

safety in the interior of the United States through enforcement of 

immigration laws and believes doing so strengthens the security of 

the nation. The Committee understands it is ICE’s policy that enforcement actions at sensitive locations—identified as schools, 

healthcare facilities, places of worship, religious or civil ceremonies 

32 

or observances, and public demonstrations—should generally be 

avoided, and require either prior approval from an appropriate supervisory official or exigent circumstances necessitating immediate 

action. The policy is intended to ensure that anyone seeking to participate in activities or utilize services provided at such locations 

are free to do so without fear or hesitation. The Committee expects 

ICE to continue to follow this policy, which balances the requirement to enforce the law with impacts these actions may have on 

communities. 

Section 9 of Executive Order 13768, Enhancing Public Safety in 

the Interior of the United States, authorizes the Secretary to designate jurisdictions not in compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373 as sanctuary jurisdictions. Under 8 U.S.C. 1373, state or local government 

entities or officials are prohibited from restricting any government 

entity or official from sending ICE information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual in their custody. 

Jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, by practice, policy, or local statute, threaten the nation’s 

security by releasing criminal aliens, some of whom may be violent 

or otherwise dangerous, back into local communities. This practice 

places ICE and other law enforcement officers in personal jeopardy, 

requiring them to track down and apprehend dangerous aliens in 

a non-secure environment. The Committee encourages the Secretary to make public the criteria by which designations under section 9 of Executive Order 13768 will be made, including how compliance with 8 U.S.C. 1373 will be determined and any additional 

criteria. 

The Committee is aware that some jurisdictions are concerned 

that providing information to ICE on individuals in their custody 

or participating in certain custody transfers might harm relationships with their communities, potentially reducing the reporting of 

criminal acts by victims and witnesses, and that some jurisdictions 

have questioned whether they have the legal authority to continue 

holding individuals on the basis of an ICE detainer. While working 

to expand the number of jurisdictions that comply with ICE detainers, ICE should also continue to work with law enforcement agencies (LEA) that are willing to notify ICE prior to releasing individuals who are enforcement priorities. To the extent that notifications have not always provided ICE with enough advance warning 

to take custody of criminal aliens, ICE should continue working 

with such LEAs to ensure that notifications are made in a more 

timely fashion. 

Executive Order 13768 also eliminated the Priority Enforcement 

Program (PEP) and reinstated the Secure Communities program. 

The essential distinction between the two programs is the manner 

in which ICE seeks the transfer of individuals into its custody from 

local LEAs. Under Secure Communities, ICE issues detainers to 

LEAs, requesting that they maintain custody of individuals identified by ICE as enforcement priorities for up to 48 hours beyond the 

time the individuals would otherwise be released. Under PEP, ICE 

primarily issued requests that LEAs notify ICE prior to the time 

when such individuals would normally be released, although detainers were still issued under some circumstances. Within 90 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, and monthly thereafter, the 

Director of ICE shall submit to the Committee a Secure CommuVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
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nities report, including the number of detainer requests issued, actual custody transfers to ICE, and releases by state and local law 

enforcement jurisdiction, criminal category, conviction status, date 

of any conviction, immigration status, gender, country of citizenship, and enforcement priority, and shall make this information 

publicly available on its website. 

In accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(2)(B), ICE is required to take 

custody of any unaccompanied alien child who reaches the age of 

18 while in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement 

(ORR) and place them in the least restrictive setting available after 

taking into account the alien’s danger to self, danger to the community, risk of flight, and any recommendations in ORR’s post-18 plan 

for that individual. The Committee directs ICE to provide semi-annual updates to the Committee on the number of unaccompanied 

alien children who turn 18 while in ORR custody and are subsequently transferred to ICE. The first update, due within 60 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, shall include a description 

of the Juvenile Coordinator’s methodology for determining placement in the least restrictive setting available and for considering 

an alien’s risk to self or the community, risk of flight, and post-18 

plan. Each update shall delineate transfers by ICE area of responsibility and most recent category of ORR placement, and shall detail ICE’s placement decision (detention, ATD, Order of Supervision, or own recognizance) for each alien. 

ICE is currently evaluating the use of body-worn cameras for potential use in its field enforcement activities, and notes that such 

cameras can be important tools for both holding law enforcement 

personnel accountable and for exonerating officers accused of 

wrongdoing. As ICE continues this assessment, the Committee 

notes that CBP has begun an initiative to incorporate body-worn 

cameras into its enforcement activities, and encourages ICE to consult with CBP to identify lessons learned related to use protocols 

and data access and retention. 

Custody Operations. The Committee recommends $3,240,596,000 

for Custody Operations, $360,876,000 below the request and 

$535,184,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. As 

noted above, the recommendation supports an average daily detained population of 44,000 aliens. 

Presently, 9.2 percent of the detained population is housed in 

ICE-owned Service Processing Centers (SPC). The remaining detention capacity is provided through contracts with private sector 

detention facility companies or through Inter-Governmental Service 

Agreements (IGSAs) with state and local governments and law enforcement agencies. Due to the high up-front costs associated with 

expanding SPCs, the Committee understands that increases to detention capacity during fiscal year 2018 will be achieved through 

an expansion of private sector contracts and IGSAs. 

ICE is directed to make public all final detention facility inspection reports within 60 days of inspection; complete and make public 

an initial report regarding any in-custody death within 30 days of 

such death, with subsequent reporting to be completed and released within 60 days of the initial report unless additional time 

is required for redacting personally identifiable information; make 

public a full list, updated monthly, of all facilities in use for detention of adults and/or children, including the average daily popuVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
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lation, the type of contract, the governing detention standards, and 

the complement of on-board medical and mental health personnel; 

ensure that non-governmental organizations are provided independent and timely access to all facilities for the purpose of providing representation, legal education, and programming, and for 

purposes of monitoring and visitation; and update detainee location 

information in the ICE Detainee Online Locator system within 48 

hours of detention and 24 hours of completion of any transfer. 

Of the 199 facilities used by ICE for detention operations, 150 

are designated as over-72 hour facilities, including ICE-owned 

SPCs, contract detention facilities (CDFs), and facilities accessed 

through IGSAs with local jurisdictions. ICE has IGSAs with another 49 local and county jails where detention is limited to 72 or 

fewer hours. Currently, 57 percent of the detained population is 

held in over-72 hour facilities that meet the 2011 Performance 

Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS). ICE has indicated 

that its goal is to bring the percentage of the detained population 

subject to the 2011 PBNDS up to 80 percent over the next few 

years. 

In fiscal year 2018, ICE is proposing to move to a different detention facility framework, consisting of Under Seven-Day (USD) facilities; Over Seven-Day (OSD) facilities; and Dedicated Over 

Seven-Day (DOSD) facilities. USD facilities would include those 

currently designated as under 72-hour facilities, along with other 

local or county facilities—primarily in rural areas where temporary 

housing is required to facilitate an imminent removal or while ICE 

arranges placement in a longer term facility. Non-dedicated OSD 

facilities would also include local and county jails, while DOSDs 

would consist of SPCs, CDFs, and other dedicated facilities 

accessed through IGSAs. DOSDs would adhere to the 2011 PBNDS, 

while USD and non-dedicated OSD facilities would be held to a 

subset of those standards. 

While the Committee understands that ICE’s intention in adopting this new framework is to increase its flexibility in managing 

the detained population and ensure the availability of detention capacity, it is concerned about the potential impact on detention 

standards. If ICE proceeds in establishing this new framework, it 

should adopt specific detention standards for USD and OSD facilities that are developed through a transparent process, such as the 

informal comment and roundtable process the agency employed 

when developing the 2008 PBNDS. 

Within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, ICE shall 

brief the Committee on the status of its plan to move to an alternative detention facility framework, including details regarding its 

stakeholder outreach efforts as described above; specifics on detention standards for new categories of detention facilities; and how 

inspections for each category of facility will be conducted, including 

any improvements to current inspection processes. 

Under departmental regulations to implement Prison Rape 

Elimination Act (PREA) standards, all new, renewed, or substantively modified detention facility contracts must include a requirement that the facility adhere to such standards. ICE has now 

incorporated those standards into facility contracts representing 64 

percent of its average daily population in detention, and will continue to expand the covered population as contracts are signed, reVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
35 

newed, or modified. Within 60 days after the date of enactment of 

this Act, ICE shall brief the Committee on its planned schedule for 

achieving 100 percent compliance with PREA requirements, the results of completed PREA audits, and an assessment of whether the 

standards are effective in protecting sensitive populations, such as 

transgender individuals and those with disabilities. The Committee 

again encourages ICE to consider collaborating with the National 

PREA Resource Center, which is supported by the Department of 

Justice, to help facilitate PREA compliance. 

ICE is directed to provide a report not later than 90 days after 

the date of enactment of this Act detailing the number and type of 

detention contracts and IGSAs in effect and all costs associated 

with them. 

The Committee expects ICE to apply the terms of the Lyon v. 

ICE, et al. Settlement Agreement regarding detainee telephone access to all of its detention facilities to the greatest extent possible, 

and directs ICE to brief the Committee on the status of ensuring 

such access within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

ICE is expected to ensure that individuals being transferred from 

CBP to ICE custody, in ICE custody, or under ICE supervision 

have opportunities to report family separation incidents and to 

verify the status, location, and disposition of family members. ICE 

should also ensure that field officers are appropriately trained on 

the requirements of ICE’s Parental Interest Directive and on mechanisms to reunite family units. ICE shall not rescind or change the 

policies contained in this directive. 

ICE is directed to notify the Committee prior to releasing any illegal immigrants in custody due to budgetary reasons, including an 

explanation of how ICE assessed the potential risk to the community and the risk of absconding associated with the release. 

Fugitive Operations. The Committee recommends $184,668,000 

for Fugitive Operations, the same as the amount requested and 

$32,873,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The 

recommendation fully supports the current operational level of Fugitive Operations teams. The Committee expects Fugitive Operations to continue to prioritize the apprehension and removal of 

criminal aliens and those individuals who pose a risk to national 

security and public safety, as described in Executive Order 13768. 

Criminal Alien Program. The Committee recommends 

$412,080,000 for the Criminal Alien Program (CAP), the same as 

the amount requested and $99,730,000 above the amount provided 

in fiscal year 2017. The Committee expects CAP to continue to 

prioritize the removal of criminal aliens and those individuals who 

pose a risk to national security and public safety. 

Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes 

ICE to enter into memoranda of understanding with state and local 

law enforcement entities, through which ICE delegates limited authority to enforce federal immigration laws within their jurisdictions under ICE’s direct supervision. These agreements serve as an 

extension of CAP by directly supporting ICE’s efforts to determine 

the immigration status of individuals taken into custody by local 

law enforcement in the course of their normal law enforcement duties. The Committee supports ICE’s efforts to increase the number 

of state and local law enforcement entities participating in the 

287(g) program in order to identify criminal aliens and recVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
36 

ommends the requested level of $24,321,000 to support the program. 

As ICE expands the number of jurisdictions participating in the 

287(g) program, it must maintain processes to monitor the performance and oversight of 287(g)-designated officers, make program 

transparency a high priority, and proactively address stakeholder 

concerns. The Committee expects the Office of State, Local, and 

Tribal Cooperation to continue outreach and communications to 

public stakeholders, and directs ICE to continue to require the establishment and regular use of steering committees for each jurisdiction, including the participation of external stakeholders. Steering committees are focused on improving program oversight and direction; identifying challenges and concerns; increasing transparency; and providing stakeholders and community leaders opportunities to communicate community-level perspectives. 

The Committee also expects ICE, the Office of Inspector General, 

and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to continue providing rigorous oversight of the 287(g) program, and directs ICE to 

notify the Committee prior to implementing any significant 

changes to the program, including any changes to training requirements, data collection, or selection criteria. 

ICE is directed to provide an annual report to the Committee on 

the 287(g) program, due not later than 60 days after the end of 

each fiscal year, including details on steering committee membership and activities for participating jurisdictions; performance data, 

including nationality, level of criminality, and enforcement priority 

level of individuals placed into removal proceedings by 287(g)-designated officers; and any plans for future expansion of or changes 

to the program. 

Alternatives to Detention. The Committee recommends 

$177,700,000 for Alternatives to Detention (ATD), the same as the 

amount requested and $5,575,000 below the amount provided for 

fiscal year 2017. The recommendation supports an average daily 

population of 79,000 participants in the program, which places lowrisk aliens under various degrees of supervision or electronic monitoring, in lieu of detention, to ensure their appearance at immigration hearings and for removal. 

The Committee supports the use of effective alternatives to detention for appropriate detainee populations but remains concerned 

with the lack of timely data on participant compliance with release 

conditions. This lack of data denies the Committee the ability to accurately assess the effectiveness of the program when considering 

the prioritization of limited resources. ICE is directed to continue 

to provide performance reports to the Committee on the ATD program, as described in House Report 114–668. 

The Committee is aware that ICE recently discontinued its family case management pilot (FCMP) within the ATD program. According to ICE, while some aspects of the pilot showed promise for 

increased compliance, it determined that the initial performance 

data did not warrant continuing the pilot given its higher cost compared to the standard intensive supervision program. 

To improve compliance rates under the standard ATD program, 

ICE should consider incorporating some of the beneficial elements 

of the FCMP, such as requiring a legal orientation briefing for participants. Further, because personal interactions with a case manVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
37 

ager appear to improve compliance rates, ICE should dedicate additional personnel to the ATD technology-only program to increase 

the ratio of supervisory officers to ATD participants. Finally, ICE 

should explore opportunities to continue working with communitybased organizations that directly provide case management services, including referrals to services already available in the community that are associated with higher ATD compliance rates. 

Transportation and Removal Program. The Committee recommends $398,200,000 for the Transportation and Removal Program, $86,694,000 below the amount requested and $42,318,000 

above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation supports an ADP of 44,000. 

The Committee expects DHS to continue to repatriate removable 

individuals in a manner that ensures their safety, including continued adherence to Local Repatriation Arrangements with the Government of Mexico. Consistent with prior years, ICE shall also continue submitting semi-annual reports to the Committees on the removal of parents of U.S. citizen minors. 

Mission Support 

The Committee recommends $350,391,000 for Mission Support, 

the same as the amount requested and $14,142,000 below the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The Committee remains troubled by ICE’s approach to budgeting for service-wide costs (SWC), 

such as rent, overtime, utilities, and security. Although SWC are 

managed centrally by the Management and Administration directorate, SWC are included in the budgets of the programs and components. ICE then obligates funds for these costs using post-enactment assessments against the appropriations of agency components 

and programs. Burying SWC in mission budgets makes oversight 

by ICE leadership and Congress significantly more difficult, contributing to unchecked cost growth. For the fiscal year 2019 budget, ICE is directed to reflect SWC in appropriate Mission Support 

sub-PPAs or through one or more new SWC PPAs within Mission 

Support, and to provide separate budget estimates and detailed 

justifications for all SWC. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $29,800,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 52,899,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 52,899,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +23,099,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

ICE’s Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) appropriation provides funds necessary for the planning, operational 

development, engineering, and purchase of headquarters and operational assets prior to the sustainment phase. ICE programs funded through PC&I support the improvement, deployment, and modernization of facilities and information technology applications, systems, and infrastructure, which enable ICE to administer and enforce customs and immigration laws. 

38 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $52,899,000 for PC&I, the same as 

the amount requested and $23,099,000 above the amount provided 

in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee directs CBP and ICE to continue semi-annual 

briefings on efforts to modernize the TECS system, which is used 

for immigration enforcement case management and for screening 

and determinations related to admissibility to the United States. 

TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $7,316,140,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 7,091,669,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 7,156,378,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥159,762,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +64,709,000 

Mission 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is charged 

with protecting U.S. transportation systems, while ensuring the 

freedom of movement of people and commerce. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $7,105,047,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 7,018,165,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 7,082,874,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥22,173,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +64,709,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation funds TSA’s 

operating salaries and expenses. This appropriation provides funding for TSA screening operations, including in-flight security, a 

strong security regulation and enforcement presence on-site at the 

nation’s commercial airports, multi-modal regulation compliance inspections and deterrence programs, and support for operational and 

headquarters personnel, systems, and infrastructure. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $7,082,874,000 for O&S, 

$64,709,000 above the amount requested and $22,173,000 below 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Funds within this account 

are partially offset through the collection of aviation security fees. 

Of the total, the bill recommends two years of funding availability 

for $1,770,719,000, to provide flexibility for TSA in managing its 

screening workforce. 

The fiscal year 2018 President’s budget request assumes 

$500,000,000 in new revenue collections generated by an increase 

in aviation passenger security fees as a further offset to TSA’s discretionary appropriations. The recommendation does not reflect the 

implementation of the Administration’s proposal, as it requires new 

authorization legislation that has not been enacted and is not 

under the jurisdiction of the Committee. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

39 

Budget Request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Aviation Screening Operations 

Screening Workforce 

Screening Partnership Program ........................................................ $175,580,000 $175,580,000 

Screener Personnel, Compensation, and Benefits ........................... 3,128,064,000 3,205,064,000 

Screener Training and Other ............................................................ 233,061,000 233,061,000 

Airport Management .................................................................................. 643,797,000 643,797,000 

Canines ...................................................................................................... 151,764,000 151,764,000 

Screening Technology Maintenance ........................................................... 387,882,000 387,882,000 

Secure Flight .............................................................................................. 102,763,000 102,763,000 

Subtotal, Aviation Screening Operations ................................. 4,822,911,000 4,899,911,000 

Other Operations and Enforcement 

Inflight Security 

Federal Air Marshals ........................................................................ 803,905,000 788,855,000 

Federal Flight Deck Officer and Crew Training ............................... 19,514,000 22,273,000 

Aviation Regulation ................................................................................... 173,535,000 173,535,000 

Air Cargo .................................................................................................... 102,721,000 102,721,000 

Intelligence and TSOC ............................................................................... 79,790,000 79,790,000 

Surface Programs ...................................................................................... 86,316,000 86,316,000 

Vetting Programs ....................................................................................... 60,215,000 60,215,000 

Subtotal, Other Operations and Support ................................. 1,325,996,000 1,313,705,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 869,258,000 869,258,000 

Total, Operations and Support (gross) .................................... 7,018,165,000 7,082,874,000 

Aviation Passenger Security Fees (offsetting collections) ................................. ¥2,470,000,000 ¥2,470,000,000 

Passenger Security Fee Increase (offsetting collections) (legislative proposal) ¥500,000,000 – – – 

Total, Operations and Support (net) .................................................................. $4,048,165,000 $4,612,874,000 

Aviation Screening Operations 

The Committee recommends $4,899,911,000 for Aviation Screening Operations, $77,000,000 above the amount requested and 

$148,195,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The 

increase above the request is to maintain existing TSA staffing at 

airport exit lanes, as required by law. 

The Committee is concerned that, despite the continued upward 

trend in air travel, TSA continues to use artificially low estimates 

for anticipated growth in passenger volume when developing its 

Transportation Security Officer staffing requirements, resulting in 

multiple reprogramming actions in the year of execution to address 

rising wait times, or Congress appropriating additional funds above 

the budget request to address these unrealistic assumptions. The 

Committee supports TSA’s efforts to seek innovative improvements 

in efficiency and security, and not solely relying on increases in 

staffing and overtime to address growth in air travel. Unless the 

agency uses realistic projections when developing its budget request, however, it will simply continue to set itself up for failure. 

TSA shall ensure that its aviation screening processes take into 

consideration the privacy and civil liberties interests of passengers 

and crews, consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and guidance. House Report 114–668 directed TSA to explore methods of 

data collection and analysis related to the referral of individuals for 

secondary screenings as a way to ensure its screening practices 

guard against profiling based on race, national origin, or religion. 

The Committee directs TSA to provide a briefing, not later than 90 

days after the date of enactment of this Act, on its analysis of data 

40 

collection methods and the feasibility of releasing such data to the 

public at the end of each fiscal year. 

The Committee is concerned by multiple reports of airport employees with access to secure areas who have used their positions 

to commit criminal acts or become associated with terrorist organizations. The Committee encourages TSA to review its existing employee credentialing processes and airport access control protocols 

to reduce this vulnerability, including the costs, benefits, and feasibility of deploying additional physical infrastructure, technology, 

security staffing, and/or screening of personnel prior to accessing 

sterile areas. 

The Committee has long supported the use of explosives detection canine teams and has consistently added funding to expand 

TSA’s deployment of these effective assets. The recommendation 

supports a total of 1,047 canine teams, including the 50 teams 

added in fiscal year 2017. TSA shall brief the Committees not later 

than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on its canine 

requirements and plans for expanding the program, including efforts to further increase training capacity at the Canine Training 

Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. 

In accordance with the direction and funding in Public Law 115– 

31, TSA is in the process of establishing a third party canine certification program for air cargo that will begin operating in fiscal 

year 2018. Although TSA requested no resources in the fiscal year 

2018 budget for this new program, the Committee understands the 

funds provided in fiscal year 2017 for this purpose will adequately 

support TSA’s first-year implementation costs. The Committee expects to see funding for the third party canine program included in 

the fiscal year 2019 budget request. 

TSA should review its methodology for the deployment of standalone explosives detection systems to determine whether to consider additional factors that may contribute to an airport’s requirement for these systems, such as customer service, airline logistics, 

existing belt system design, exclusive airline use areas, and recent 

infrastructure investment. 

The Committee commends TSA on the success of its Public Area 

Security Summits, which bring together issue-area experts, industry professionals, and government officials to share best practices 

and craft innovative solutions for protecting the public areas of airports. The Committee encourages the group to continue to work toward integrating plans for communications and operations centers 

through its Public Area Security National Framework, which is a 

critical tool for helping airports enhance their threat prevention 

systems. 

Other Operations and Enforcement 

The Committee recommends $1,313,705,000 for Other Operations 

and Enforcement, $12,291,000 below the amount requested and 

$93,786,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

Within the recommendation is $788,855,000 for the Federal Air 

Marshal Service (FAMS), $15,050,000 below the request and 

$14,098,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017 due to 

projected underexecution of personnel funds. 

The recommendation also includes $22,273,000 for the Federal 

Flight Deck Officer and Flight Crew Training (FFDO) program, an 

41 

increase of $2,759,000 above the request and the same as the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017, to maximize FLETC training 

capacity for FFDO pilots and to procure additional equipment to 

support increased participation in the program. The Committee directs TSA to provide a briefing not later than 60 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act on FFDO enrollment, training, and 

recertification. 

The Committee encourages TSA to continue to work with its government and industry partners to educate stakeholders and advance the deployment of an emergency-ready tracking system for 

highway security-sensitive materials. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $206,093,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 53,314,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 53,314,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥152,779,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) appropriation provides funds, above certain threshold amounts, necessary for the manufacture, purchase, or enhancement of one or 

more assets prior to sustainment. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $53,314,000 for PC&I, the same as 

the amount requested and $152,779,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The reduction below fiscal year 2017 is 

due to the transfer of funding requested for personnel and operations and sustainment activities from the PC&I appropriation to 

the O&S appropriation, consistent with the guidance in the DHS 

Financial Policy Manual and the direction in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115–31. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

Aviation Screening Infrastructure 

Checkpoint Support ................................................................................... $4,019,000 $4,019,000 

Checked Baggage ...................................................................................... 33,004,000 33,004,000 

Infrastructure for Other Operations 

Vetting Programs ....................................................................................... 16,291,000 16,291,000 

Total, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ..................... $53,314,000 $53,314,000 

Aviation Screening Infrastructure 

As requested, the Committee recommends $37,023,000 for Aviation Screening Infrastructure, $133,387,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee supports TSA’s efforts to deploy next generation 

capabilities, such as computed tomography systems, to checkpoints. 

However, as existing technology in the field begins to reach the end 

of its useful life, TSA must ensure detection capabilities are maintained until these next generation systems are ready to be deployed. Further, any acquisition of new systems must appropriately 

42 

adhere to the Federal Acquisition Regulation guidance regarding 

the use of competitive procedures. 

Any award by TSA to deploy explosives detection systems shall 

be based on risk, the airport’s current reliance on other screening 

solutions, lobby congestion resulting in increased security concerns, 

high injury rates, airport readiness, and increased cost effectiveness. 

As directed in the explanatory statement accompanying Public 

Law 114–113, TSA has established a seven-step plan to solicit, review, and validate airport requests for reimbursement for the cost 

of in-line baggage screening systems installed prior to 2008. TSA 

is currently in the process of validating project cost information 

submitted by airports to determine allowable and allocable expenses, and anticipates having a finalized airport reimbursement 

list by November 2017. Upon finalization, TSA shall brief the Committee on next steps, including an anticipated date by which TSA 

expects to begin reimbursement of validated claims. 

Infrastructure for Other Operations 

As requested, the Committee recommends $16,291,000 for Infrastructure for Other Operations, $9,991,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

TSA is directed to provide an update on the Technology Infrastructure Modernization program not later than 60 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $5,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 20,190,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 20,190,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +15,190,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

Research and Development (R&D) funds necessary technology 

demonstration, prototype testing, and system development in support of TSA’s passenger, baggage, and intermodal screening functions. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $20,190,000 for R&D, 

$15,190,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee supports TSA’s work with the Innovation Task 

Force to facilitate collaboration among TSA, industry stakeholders, 

and airports to develop, test, and deploy new screening technologies and other innovative airport security solutions. TSA is directed to brief the Committee on the status of these efforts within 

90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

COAST GUARD

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $10,454,511,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 10,441,258,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 10,486,258,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +31,747,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +45,000,000 

43 

Mission 

The Coast Guard is the principal federal agency charged with 

maritime safety, security, and stewardship. The Coast Guard is a 

military, multi-mission, maritime service within the Department of 

Homeland Security and one of the nation’s five armed services. The 

core roles of the Coast Guard are to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America’s coasts, ports, and inland waterways. 

Both the Arctic and the Antarctic regions fall within the scope of 

Coast Guard responsibilities. 

OPERATING EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 1 ....................................................... $7,079,628,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 2 ..................................................... 7,213,464,000 

Recommended in the bill 3 ................................................................. 7,163,464,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +83,836,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥50,000,000 1 Includes funding for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT)/Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). 

2Funding for the Coast Guard related to GWOT/OCO is requested under Navy, Operations and Maintenance. 3Does not include funding for GWOT/OCO. 

The Operating Expenses (OE) appropriation funds the Coast 

Guard’s 11 statutory missions and other activities in support of 

DHS and national priorities. The OE appropriation funds military 

and civilian Coast Guard personnel, as well as the operation and 

maintenance of new and existing Coast Guard fleets, equipment, 

facilities, and programs. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $7,163,464,000 for OE, $50,000,000 

below the amount requested and $83,836,000 above the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Operating Expenses 

Military Pay and Allowances .............................................................................. $3,711,095,000 $3,711,095,000 

Civilian Pay and Benefits ................................................................................... 851,178,000 851,178,000 

Training and Recruiting ..................................................................................... 190,668,000 190,668,000 

Operating Funds and Unit Level Maintenance .................................................. 895,518,000 875,518,000 

Centrally Managed Accounts .............................................................................. 142,788,000 142,788,000

Intermediate and Depot Level Maintenance ...................................................... 1,422,217,000 1,392,217,000 

Total, Operating Expenses ......................................................................... $7,213,464,000 $7,163,464,000

The Committee notes that, unlike previous budget submissions, 

the Coast Guard’s request for Military and Civilian Personnel reflects realistic FTE projections and cost assumptions. Nevertheless, 

the Committee is concerned that the Coast Guard has yet to complete a Manpower Requirements Analysis (MRA), as directed by 

the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015, to determine the size 

of the force needed. The Coast Guard is directed to complete the 

MRA before it submits the fiscal year 2019 request. 

Currently, the Coast Guard is the only branch of the Armed 

Services for which personnel health information does not reside in 

44 

the Department of Defense (DoD) health system. The Committee is 

very concerned that the Coast Guard has been without an electronic health record (EHR) since 2015 and understands the Coast 

Guard is currently conducting market research for the acquisition 

of a new system that will likely not be operational until 2019 at 

the earliest. In the meantime, Coast Guard medical records are 

maintained the old fashioned way—on paper. It appears the Coast 

Guard is simply kicking this can down the road, potentially at the 

expense of reducing the quality of healthcare for its service members. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ recent decision to adopt the 

DoD EHR was a recognition of the urgent and essential requirement to adopt a system that allows for seamless interoperability 

and integrated health information between these two Departments 

and improves health care delivery for service members and veterans. In light of this decision, the Committee directs the Coast 

Guard to provide, within 60 days after the date of enactment of 

this Act, a business case analysis for adopting the same approach 

employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to acquire the 

next-generation EHR system. 

The Committee directs the Coast Guard to continue to provide an 

annual report, due within 90 days after the date of enactment of 

this Act, on the number of expedited requests for transfer made by 

victims of sexual assault during the prior fiscal year, including the 

number of applications denied and a description of the rationale for 

each denied request. The report shall also include the number of 

service members served by the Special Victim Counsel program 

during the same period. 

The Committee is aware of the extraordinary demands made on 

members of the Coast Guard and their families. Access to child 

care is critical to supporting Coast Guard families, particularly for 

those assigned to remote Coast Guard stations. Of the amount recommended for Operating Expenses, $1,000,000 is to increase the 

child care subsidy for Coast Guard families residing in high costof-living areas. Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on its plan to implement the increased subsidy. In addition, the Committee directs 

the Coast Guard to conduct and report to the Committee the results of a survey of its personnel regarding the cost and availability 

of child care as well as the effect of access to child care on retention. 

Within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 

Coast Guard shall brief the Committee on its progress, working 

with the Department of Commerce, in implementing the Illegal, 

Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2015 

(Public Law 114–81). The Coast Guard should address its current 

capability to limit access to U.S. ports by vessels found to be in violation of fishing laws, including any related technological or resource limitations it faces. 

The Committee is aware that the U.S. Navy has an ongoing program to develop and field advanced ballistic shielding on Crew 

Served Weapon Stations that will provide increased protection at 

lower weight with high durability in the marine environment. The 

Committee encourages the Coast Guard to assess whether this protection system is appropriate for Coast Guard vessels. 

45 

The Committee is concerned with increasing number of hoax distress calls the Coast Guard receives. These calls are not only resource intensive, but they also place Coast Guard service members 

at risk needlessly, and have the potential to divert search and rescue assets away from a real emergency. The Coast Guard is directed to brief the Committee on steps to reduce the number of 

false distress calls and what steps can be taken to investigate and 

prosecute the perpetrators. The fiscal year 2017 bill included $6,000,000 to carry out a pilot 

fishing safety training and research program, as authorized by section 309 of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2014 (Public 

Law 113–281). The Coast Guard is directed to brief the Committee 

on the results of this pilot not later than 60 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act. 

The Committee recognizes the Coast Guard’s current efforts to 

partner with communities to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education standards in nontraditional 

classroom settings, and encourages further expansion of the Partnership in Education Program, particularly through the increased 

participation of Coast Guard Academy cadets. 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $13,315,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 13,397,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 13,397,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +82,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Environmental Compliance and Restoration appropriation 

provides funding for environmental cleanup, sustainment, and restoration of current and former contaminated Coast Guard facilities. 

Additionally, it funds engineering remedies on Coast Guard assets 

for the purpose of obtaining or restoring compliance with environmental laws and preventing contamination and environmental 

damage. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $13,397,000 for Environmental 

Compliance and Restoration, the same as the amount requested 

and $82,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

RESERVE TRAINING

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $112,302,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 114,875,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 114,875,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +2,573,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Reserve Training appropriation facilitates training, operation, and administration of the Coast Guard Reserve Program. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $114,875,000 for Reserve Training, 

the same as the amount requested and $2,573,000 above the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

46 

ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,370,007,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,203,745,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,298,745,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥71,262,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +95,000,000 

Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements (AC&I) provides for 

the acquisition, procurement, construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of vessels, aircraft, shore facilities and military housing, 

aids to navigation (ATON) systems and facilities, and command, 

control, communications, and computer systems and related equipment. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $1,298,745,000 for AC&I, 

$95,000,000 above the amount requested and $71,262,000 below 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee recommends a rescission of $95,000,000 in title 

V of this bill from funds provided in fiscal year 2017 for long lead 

time material for a tenth National Security Cutter that was neither 

requested by the Coast Guard nor is a requirement. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements 

Vessels 

Survey and Design—Vessels and Boats .................................................. $1,500,000 $1,500,000 

In-Service Vessel Sustainment .................................................................. 60,500,000 60,500,000 

National Security Cutter ............................................................................ 54,000,000 54,000,000 

Offshore Patrol Cutter ............................................................................... 500,000,000 500,000,000 

Fast Response Cutter ................................................................................ 240,000,000 240,000,000 

Cutter Boats .............................................................................................. 1,000,000 1,000,000 

Polar Ice Breaking Vessel .......................................................................... 19,000,000 19,000,000 

Inland Waterways and Western Rivers Cutter .......................................... 1,100,000 1,100,000 

Subtotal, Vessels .............................................................................. 877,100,000 877,100,000 

Aircraft 

HC–27J Conversion/Sustainment ............................................................... 52,000,000 52,000,000 

HC–130J Acquisition/Conversion/Sustainment .......................................... 5,600,000 100,600,000 

HH–65 Conversion/Sustainment ................................................................ 22,000,000 22,000,000 

MH–60T Sustainment ................................................................................ 2,500,000 2,500,000 

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems ........................................................... 500,000 500,000 

Subtotal, Aircraft .............................................................................. 82,600,000 177,600,000 

Other Acquisition Programs 

Other Equipment and Systems .................................................................. 4,000,000 4,000,000 

Program Oversight and Management ....................................................... 15,000,000 15,000,000 

C4ISR ......................................................................................................... 22,000,000 22,000,000 

CG Logistics Information Management System (CG–LIMS) ...................... 9,800,000 9,800,000 

Subtotal, Other Acquisition Programs .............................................. 50,800,000 50,800,000 

Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation 

Major Construction; Housing; ATON; and Survey and Design .................. 10,000,000 10,000,000 

Major Acquisition Systems Infrastructure ................................................. 60,000,000 60,000,000 

Minor Shore ................................................................................................ 5,000,000 5,000,000 

Subtotal, Shore Facilities and Aids to Navigation ........................... 75,000,000 75,000,000 

Personnel and Related Support Costs 118,245,000 118,245,000 

Subtotal, Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements .................. $1,203,745,000 $1,298,745,000 

47 

The Coast Guard is directed to continue to brief the Committee 

quarterly on all major acquisitions, consistent with the direction in 

the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114–4. 

Vessels 

Polar Ice Breaking Vessel. The Committee is concerned with the 

increasing Russian military presence in the Arctic region. As Russia continues to reopen Cold War era bases and conduct military 

exercises in the region, it is essential that the United States maintain a robust capability to operate in the region to ensure its national security and economic interests are protected, and to counter 

Russian aggression. The Committee acknowledges the Coast 

Guard’s long-term requirements for additional heavy and medium 

icebreakers as its current inventory reaches the end of service life. 

A potential capability gap may require the Coast Guard to consider 

unique, short-term procurement strategies. The Committee directs 

the Coast Guard to examine capabilities of existing vessels to operate in the Arctic as evidenced by industry-conducted ice trials to 

determine what Coast Guard statutory requirements could be met 

by such vessels. Further, the Committee encourages the Secretary 

of Homeland Security to work with the Secretary of Defense on a 

strategy for the future procurement of additional heavy icebreakers, which are essential to the maritime security interests of 

the United States and allies in the region. 

Aircraft 

HC–130J Acquisition/Conversion/Sustainment. The Committee 

recommends $100,600,000 for the HC–130J aircraft program, 

$95,000,000 above the request and $11,200,000 below the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation includes funding 

to procure one HC–130J aircraft. The Secretary is expected to include adequate funding in the fiscal year 2019 budget request to 

normalize the recapitalization of the HC–130 fleet in order to improve mission capability and avoid unnecessary and expensive 

service life extension upgrades for the HC–130H. 

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $36,319,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 18,641,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 18,641,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥17,678,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funding 

sustains critical Coast Guard mission capabilities through applied 

research, testing, development, and evaluation programs. Several 

RDT&E programs include partnerships with other DHS components, DoD, and other federal and private research organizations. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $18,641,000 for RDT&E, the same 

as the amount requested and $17,678,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

48 

HEALTH CARE FUND CONTRIBUTION 1

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $176,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 204,136,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 204,136,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +28,136,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 1This is a permanent indefinite discretionary appropriation. 

The Health Care Fund Contribution accrues the Coast Guard’s 

military Medicare-eligible health benefit contribution to the DoD 

Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund. Contributions are for 

future Medicare-eligible retirees, as well as retiree dependents and 

their potential survivors. 

Recommendation 

While this account requires no annual action by Congress, the Committee affirms the expenditure of $204,136,000 for the Medicare-eligible retiree health care fund contribution, $28,136,000 

above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017 and consistent with 

the CBO-estimated requirement for fiscal year 2018. 

RETIRED PAY

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,666,940,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,673,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,673,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +6,060,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Retired Pay appropriation provides payments as identified 

under the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection and Survivor 

Benefits Plans and other retired personnel entitlements identified 

under prior-year National Defense Authorization Acts. This appropriation also includes funding for medical care of retired personnel 

and their dependents. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $1,673,000,000 for Retired Pay, the 

same as the amount requested and $6,060,000 above the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. A provision in the bill allows funds to 

remain available until expended. The Coast Guard’s Retired Pay 

appropriation is a mandatory budgetary activity. 

UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $2,045,578,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,943,626,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,957,495,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥88,083,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +13,869,000 

Mission 

The United States Secret Service (USSS) has statutory authority 

to carry out two primary missions: protecting the nation’s leaders 

and investigating financial and electronic crimes. The Secret Service protects and investigates threats against the President and Vice 

49 

President, their families, visiting heads of state, and other designated individuals; protects the White House, Vice President’s 

Residence, foreign missions, and certain other facilities within 

Washington, D.C.; and coordinates the security at National Special 

Security Events (NSSEs). The Secret Service also investigates violations of laws relating to counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the United States; financial crimes include, but are not limited to, access device fraud, financial institution fraud, identity 

theft, and computer fraud; and computer-based attacks on financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure. In addition, 

the agency provides support for investigations related to missing 

and exploited children. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,879,463,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,879,346,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,893,215,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +13,752,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +13,869,000 

The USSS Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation funds 

necessary operations, mission support, and associated management 

and administration costs, to include salaries in support of the following mission-based PPAs: Mission Support, Protective Operations, Field Operations, and Basic and In-Service Training and 

Professional Development. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $1,893,215,000 for O&S, 

$13,869,000 above the amount requested and $13,752,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee recommends that $33,692,000 remain available 

until September 30, 2019, of which $5,482,000 is for the James J. 

Rowley Training Center; $4,710,000 is for Operational Mission 

Support; $18,000,000 is for protective travel; and $4,500,000 is for 

NSSEs. In the future, however, the Committee will continue to 

transition all O&S appropriations across the Department to a single year of availability, with very limited exceptions for sub-appropriation amounts when additional flexibility is fully justified. USSS 

should attempt to obligate all of its O&S funding during fiscal year 

2018, and should budget for fiscal year 2019 under an assumption 

of a single year of funding availability. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Protective Operations 

Protection of Persons and Facilities ......................................................... $705,566,000 $705,566,000 

Protective Countermeasures ...................................................................... 46,862,000 46,862,000 

Protective Intelligence ............................................................................... 47,547,000 47,547,000 

Presidential Campaigns and National Special Security Events ............... 4,500,000 4,500,000 

Subtotal, Protective Operations ........................................................ 804,475,000 804,475,000 

Field Operations 

Domestic and International Field Operations ........................................... 588,653,000 588,653,000 

Support for Missing and Exploited Children Investigations ..................... 7,582,000 7,582,000 

50 

Budget request Recommended 

Support for Computer Forensics Training ................................................. – – – 13,869,000 

Subtotal, Field Operations ................................................................ 596,235,000 610,104,000 

Basic and In-Service Training and Professional Development .......................... 64,078,000 64,078,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 414,558,000 414,558,000 

Total, Operations and Support .................................................................. $1,879,346,000 $1,893,215,000 

Protective Operations 

The Committee recommends $804,475,000 for Protective Operations, the same as the amount requested and $22,071,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Within 90 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, the Secret Service shall brief the 

Committee on its protection operations, including details on protection costs for each of the mission categories; an updated assessment of whether the fiscal year 2018 funding level is sufficient to 

address these protection requirements; and a description of the 

methodology used to estimate funding levels needed for protection 

operations. 

Field Operations 

The Committee recommends $610,104,000 for Field Operations, 

$13,869,000 above the request and $177,911,000 below the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. The amount includes $13,869,000 for 

continued support of electronic crimes investigations and training 

through the Electronic Crimes Special Agent Program, its network 

of Electronic Crimes Task Forces, and the National Computer 

Forensics Institute. 

Additionally, the recommendation includes $7,582,000 for support of missing and exploited children investigations, including 

$1,312,000 for personnel costs, $6,000,000 for grant assistance, and 

$266,000 for equipment and other related costs. The total is equal 

to the fiscal year 2017 level and the amount requested. 

The Secret Service continues to show significant results from its 

efforts to stop the counterfeiting of U.S. currency in concert with 

its law enforcement counterparts in Colombia and Peru, and is 

building on this effort in its other international field offices. The 

Committee expects the Secret Service, in conjunction with the DHS 

Office of Policy, to keep it informed of developments related to 

counterfeiting and other international investigative mission areas. 

The USSS may not obligate any funding for the purpose of opening a new permanent domestic or overseas office or location unless 

the Committees have been notified 15 days in advance of such obligation. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $163,615,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 64,030,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 64,030,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥99,585,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) appropriation provides the funds—above certain threshold amounts— 

51 

necessary for the manufacture, purchase, or enhancement of one or 

more assets prior to sustainment. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $64,030,000 for PC&I, the same as 

the request and $99,585,000 below the amount provided in fiscal 

year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommended 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

Protection Assets and Infrastructure ................................................................. $39,012,000 $39,012,000 

Operational Communications/Information Technology ....................................... 25,018,000 25,018,000 

Total, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements .............................. $64,030,000 $64,030,000 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $2,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 250,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 250,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥2,250,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

Research and Development (R&D) funds are used to develop new 

technologies and products, which maintain or increase capability or 

capacity. The R&D appropriation funds projects through Technology Readiness Level 6 in the pursuit of enhanced technologies 

and products for front-line use. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $250,000 for R&D, the same as the 

request and $2,250,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 

2017. 

TITLE II—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

Section 201. The Committee continues a provision by reference 

regarding overtime compensation. 

Section 202. The Committee continues a provision allowing CBP 

to sustain or increase operations in Puerto Rico with appropriated 

funds. 

Section 203. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

prohibiting the transfer of aircraft and related equipment out of 

CBP unless certain conditions are met. 

Section 204. The Committee continues a provision regarding the 

availability of COBRA fee revenue. 

Section 205. The Committee continues a provision allowing CBP 

access to certain reimbursements for preclearance activities. 

Section 206. The Committee continues a provision regarding the 

importation of prescription drugs by an individual for personal use. 

Section 207. The Committee continues a provision regarding 

waivers of the Jones Act. 

Section 208. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds from being used by DHS to approve, license, facilitate, auVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
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thorize, or allow the trafficking or import of property confiscated by 

the Cuban Government. 

Section 209. The Committee continues a provision allowing the 

Secretary to reprogram funds within and transfer funds to ‘‘U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement—Operations and Support’’ 

to ensure the detention of aliens prioritized for removal. 

Section 210. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds provided under the heading ‘‘U.S. Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement—Operations and Support’’ for the 287(g) program if the terms of the agreement governing the delegation of authority have been materially violated. 

Section 211. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds provided under the heading ‘‘U.S. Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement—Operations and Support’’ to contract for detention services if the facility receives less than ‘‘adequate’’ ratings 

in two consecutive performance evaluations. 

Section 212. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

clarifying that certain elected and appointed officials are not exempt from federal passenger and baggage screening. 

Section 213. The Committee continues a provision authorizing 

TSA to use funds from the Aviation Security Capital Fund for the 

procurement and installation of explosives detection systems or for 

other purposes authorized by law. 

Section 214. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds made available by this Act under the heading ‘‘Coast 

Guard—Operating Expenses’’ for recreational vessel expenses, except to the extent fees are collected from owners of yachts and credited to this appropriation. 

Section 215. The Committee continues a provision allowing up to 

$10,000,000 to be reprogrammed to or from Military Pay and Allowances within ‘‘Coast Guard—Operating Expenses’’. 

Section 216. The Committee continues a provision allowing the 

Secret Service to obligate funds in anticipation of reimbursement 

for personnel receiving training. 

Section 217. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds made available to the Secret Service for the protection of the 

head of a federal agency other than the Secretary of Homeland Security, except where the Director has entered into a reimbursable 

agreement for such protection services. 

Section 218. The Committee continues a provision allowing the 

reprogramming of funds within ‘‘United States Secret Service—Operations and Support’’. 

Section 219. The Committee continues a provision allowing for 

funds made available for ‘‘United States Secret Service—Operations and Support’’ to be available for travel of employees on protective missions without regard to limitations on such expenditures 

in this or any other Act after notification to the Committees on Appropriation. 

53 

TITLE III—PROTECTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND 

RECOVERY 

NATIONAL PROTECTION AND PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,818,772,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,801,434,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,773,221,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥45,551,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥28,213,000 

Mission 

The National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) is focused on enhancing the security of the nation’s physical and cyber 

infrastructure and interoperable communications systems; preventing terrorism and enhancing security; safeguarding and securing cyberspace; and strengthening national preparedness and resilience. Secure and resilient infrastructure is essential for national 

security, economic vitality, and public health and safety. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,372,268,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,455,275,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,427,062,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +54,794,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥28,213,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation supports 

NPPD core operations to enhance the security and resilience of infrastructure against terrorist attacks, cyber events, natural disasters, and other large-scale incidents. The O&S appropriation funds 

the costs of necessary operations, mission support, and associated 

management and administration to execute these programs. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $1,427,062,000 for O&S, 

$28,213,000 below the amount requested and $54,794,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The reduction to the request is due to budget constraints on funding for Defense functions. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommendation 

Operations and Support 

Cybersecurity 

Cyber Readiness and Response 

NCCIC Operations ............................................................................. 116,471,000 112,977,000 

(CERT) ...................................................................................... (93,921,000) (93,921,000) 

NCCIC Planning and Exercises ......................................................... 84,494,000 81,959,000 

(CERT) ...................................................................................... (63,775,000) (63,775,000) 

Subtotal, Cyber Readiness and Response .............................. $200,965,000 $194,936,000 

Cyber Infrastructure Resilience 

Cybersecurity Advisors ...................................................................... 14,693,000 14,252,000 

Enhanced Cybersecurity Services ..................................................... 17,157,000 16,642,000 

Cybersecurity Education and Awareness .......................................... 10,093,000 9,790,000 

Subtotal, Cyber Infrastructure Resilience ............................... 41,943,000 40,684,000 

54 

Budget Request Recommendation 

Federal Cybersecurity 

Federal Network Resilience ............................................................... 42,766,000 41,483,000 

Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation ........................................... 93,780,000 91,967,000 

National Cybersecurity Protection System ...................................... 341,103,000 333,629,000 

Subtotal, Federal Cybersecurity ............................................... 477,649,000 467,079,000 

Subtotal, Cybersecurity .............................................................................. 720,557,000 702,699,000 

Infrastructure Protection 

Infrastructure Capacity Building 

Sector Risk Management ................................................................ 44,491,000 43,156,000 

Protective Security Advisors ............................................................. 35,677,000 34,607,000 

Bombing Prevention .......................................................................... 14,739,000 14,297,000 

Infrastructure Information and Sensitive Data Protection ............... 20,608,000 19,990,000 

Subtotal, Infrastructure Capacity Building ............................. 115,515,000 112,050,000 

Infrastructure Security Compliance ........................................................... 72,440,000 70,267,000 

Subtotal, Infrastructure Protection ............................................................ 187,955,000 182,317,000 

Emergency Communications 

Emergency Communications Preparedness ............................................... 49,966,000 48,467,000 

Priority Telecommunications Services.

GETS/WPS/SRAS/TSP ......................................................................... 56,319,000 54,629,000 

Next Generation Networks Priority Services ...................................... 7,636,000 7,407,000 

Subtotal, Priority Telecommunications Services ...................... 63,955,000 62,036,000 

Subtotal, Emergency Communications ...................................................... 113,921,000 110,503,000 

Integrated Operations 

Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis 

National Infrastructure Simulation Analysis Center (NISAC) ........... 8,912,000 8,645,000 

Infrastructure Analysis .................................................................... 34,410,000 33,378,000 

Subtotal, Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis ........................... 43,322,000 42,023,000 

Critical Infrastructure Situational Awareness ........................................... 21,222,000 21,222,000 

[Defense] ......................................................................................... (19,312,000) (19,312,000) 

Stakeholder Engagement and Requirements ............................................ 46,904,000 46,904,000 

[Defense] ......................................................................................... (42,214,000) (42,214,000) 

Strategy, Policy, and Plans ....................................................................... 14,448,000 14,448,000 

[Defense] ......................................................................................... (9,536,000) (9,536,000) 

Subtotal, Integrated Operations ................................................................ 125,896,000 124,597,000 

Office of Biometric Identity Management 

Identity and Screening Program Operations ............................................. 68,826,000 68,826,000 

IDENT/Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology ................................. 150,603,000 150,603,000 

Subtotal, Office of Biometric Identity Management ................................. 219,429,000 219,429,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 87,517,000 87,517,000 

[Defense] .................................................................................................... (27,130,000) (27,130,000) 

Total, Operations and Support .................................................................. $1,455,275,000 $1,427,062,000 

Cybersecurity 

The Committee recommends $702,699,000 for Cybersecurity, $17,858,000 below the amount requested and $33,285,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The Cybersecurity PPA 

advances computer security preparedness and the response to 

cyberattacks and incidents. The program includes activities to secure federal networks, respond to incidents, disseminate actionable 

information, and collaborate with private sector partners to secure 

critical infrastructure. 

The fiscal year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act required 

DHS to provide Congress with a departmental cybersecurity stratVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
55 

egy. The Committee urges DHS to accelerate the completion of the 

cybersecurity strategy in light of recent cyber events and encourages the Department to continue to engage with relevant public 

and private stakeholders to prevent future cyber intrusions. DHS, 

and its relevant components, should prioritize information technology (IT) supply chain risk management in the development of 

the department’s cyber strategy. NPPD shall brief the Committee 

on IT supply chain vulnerabilities not later than 90 days after the 

enactment of this Act. 

Cyber Readiness and Response. The Committee recommends 

$194,936,000 for Cyber Readiness and Response, $6,029,000 below 

the amount requested and $1,968,000 below the amount provided 

in fiscal year 2017. 

This program funds efforts to ensure the security and resilience 

of the nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber 

threats, including the activities of the National Cybersecurity and 

Communications Integration Center (NCCIC). The NCCIC is the 

federal government’s civilian hub for 24x7 cyber situational awareness, incident response, coordination, information sharing, and 

analysis. The Committee strongly supports NPPD’s plans to expand 

the capabilities of NCCIC. 

The Committee encourages NPPD to implement measures to increase NCCIC operational efficiency and coordination, especially 

with regard to the activities of the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US–CERT) and the Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS–CERT), including 

process improvements and increased capability to support incident 

response, training, and risk assessments. 

Cyber Infrastructure Resilience. The Committee recommends 

$40,684,000 for Cyber Infrastructure Resilience, $1,259,000 below 

the amount requested and $3,369,000 below the amount provided 

in fiscal year 2017. 

The Cyber Infrastructure Resilience program funds efforts to increase the security and resilience of critical infrastructure (CI) systems and networks through partnership and information sharing 

efforts with owners and operators, and promotion of cybersecurity 

awareness, training, and education. 

The Committee is aware that NPPD is currently working to integrate election infrastructure into the National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Although the primary responsibility for securing elections belongs to state and local election officials, DHS and the federal government share information and provide technical assistance on a voluntary basis to assist them with this responsibility. 

The Committee encourages NPPD to continue to collaborate with 

key stakeholders, including state and local election officials, the 

Election Assistance Commission, the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, 

and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center 

(MS–ISAC), to identify vulnerabilities in state election infrastructure and develop strategies to prevent cyber intrusions. NPPD 

shall brief the Committee not later than 90 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act on its assessment of such vulnerabilities and 

its plans to work with election officials to prevent cyber intrusions. 

The recommendation supports the Enhanced Cybersecurity Services (ECS) program, a voluntary information sharing program proVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
56 

viding classified threat information to qualified employees of CI 

owners and operators; the Cybersecurity Advisors (CSA) initiative; 

and the Cyber Education and Awareness program to develop the 

cybersecurity workforce pipeline. 

Federal Cybersecurity. The Committee recommends $467,079,000 

for Federal Cybersecurity, $10,570,000 below the amount requested 

and $38,622,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The recommendation supports the continued deployment of Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) technology and the National Cybersecurity Protection System (NCPS), also known as 

‘‘EINSTEIN.’’ 

For fiscal year 2018, the Committee encourages the acceleration 

of Phase II of NPPD’s non-signature based intrusion detection and 

prevention pilot program. The pilot should prioritize technologies 

from commercial and open sources that rapidly analyze anomalies 

to automatically discover previously unidentified malware and indicators of malicious activity. NPPD is directed to brief the Committee on the pilot program’s progress within 180 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act. 

Infrastructure Protection 

The Committee recommends $182,317,000 for Infrastructure Protection, $5,638,000 below the amount requested and $3,975,000 

below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The Infrastructure 

Protection program leads and coordinates national programs and 

policies on CI and resilience, and develops strong partnerships 

across government and the private sector. The program conducts 

and facilitates vulnerability and consequence assessments to help 

CI owners and operators and state, local, tribal, and territorial 

partners understand and address risks to CI. Additionally, it provides information on emerging threats and hazards and offers tools 

and training to partners to help them manage such risks to critical 

infrastructure. 

Infrastructure Capacity Building. The Committee recommends 

$112,050,000 for Infrastructure Capacity Building, $3,465,000 

below the amount requested and $4,685,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Infrastructure Capacity Building activities include Sector Risk Management, Protective Security Advisors, 

Bombing Prevention, and Infrastructure Information and Sensitive 

Data Protection. 

The Committee supports NPPD’s efforts to pursue new, innovative technologies for rapid deployment, identify projects to solve resilient design challenges, develop tools to support infrastructure investment decisions, and create products to help detect malicious activity. Accordingly, of the amount provided for National Infrastructure Protection Plan Management, $2,000,000 is designated for the 

Technology Development and Deployment Program to define agency needs, identify requirements for community level critical infrastructure protection and resilience, and rapidly develop, test, and 

transition to use technologies that address these needs and requirements. 

Infrastructure Security Compliance. The Committee recommends 

$70,267,000 for Infrastructure Security Compliance, $2,173,000 

below the amount requested and $710,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Funding for Infrastructure Security ComVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
57 

pliance supports efforts to secure the nation’s high-risk chemical facilities through systematic regulation, inspection, and enforcement 

under the authority of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Act. 

Emergency Communications 

The Committee recommends $110,503,000 for Emergency Communications, $3,418,000 below the amount requested and 

$8,462,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The 

Emergency Communications program is responsible for advancing 

the nation’s interoperable emergency communications capabilities 

to ensure first responders and government officials are able to communicate in the event of disasters. 

Emergency Communications Preparedness. The Committee recommends $48,467,000 for Emergency Communications Preparedness, $1,499,000 below the amount requested and $4,370,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation supports specialized modeling and analysis to predict and mitigate the 

effects of communications failures during times of crisis. 

Priority Telecommunications Services. The Committee recommends $62,036,000 for Priority Telecommunications Services 

(PTS), $1,919,000 below the amount requested and $4,092,000 

above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Funds for PTS enable National Security/Emergency Preparedness voice telecommunications for government and industry organizations to 

maintain essential operations and coordinate response and recovery 

efforts during emergencies when networks are congested or degraded. Additionally, PTS ensures new network infrastructure is 

capable of satisfying priority telecommunications requirements as 

carriers evolve to next-generation networks. 

Integrated Operations 

The Committee recommends $124,597,000 for Integrated Operations, $1,299,000 below the amount requested and $14,913,000 

above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The Integrated Operations program ensures domain awareness by sustaining command and control, coordination, information sharing, and situational awareness supporting multiple mission programs. This program includes various organizations that carry out functions such 

as consequence analysis, decision support and modeling, 24x7 critical infrastructure watch operations, emergency preparedness, 

stakeholder engagement, external affairs, privacy, and strategic 

planning. 

Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis. The Committee recommends 

$42,023,000 for Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis, $1,299,000 

below the amount requested and $143,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis enhances protection of the nation’s critical infrastructure through an integrated analytical approach to evaluating the potential consequences of disruption from physical or cyber threats and incidents. This analysis 

informs decisions to strengthen infrastructure security and resilience, as well as response and recovery efforts, during natural, 

man-made, or cyber incidents. 

58 

Because the country’s highly integrated electrical grid is vulnerable to cyber-attacks, physical attacks, and natural disasters, it is 

imperative to fully understand the interdependencies among information technology, operational technology, and physical security. 

Of the total recommended, $2,000,000 is for evaluating the resiliency of utility grids through real and simulated experimentation 

to test technologies, train operators, and quantify impacts and 

risks in order to prioritize response tactics and investment strategies. 

Office of Biometric Identity Management 

The Committee recommends $219,429,000 for the Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), the same as the amount requested and $16,000,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 

2017. 

OBIM provides biometric identification services to help federal, 

state, and local government partners accurately identify individuals they encounter to determine if they pose a risk to the United 

States. Through the IDENT/Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology (HART) database, OBIM shares information, provides analyses, updates watchlists, and ensures the integrity of biographic 

and biometric data. 

FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,451,078,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,476,055,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,476,055,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +24,977,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $1,476,055,000 for the Federal Protective Service (FPS), the same as the amount requested and 

$24,977,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. This 

amount is fully offset by fees collected from FPS customer agencies. 

The Secretary and the Director of OMB shall certify in writing 

to the Committees, not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, that the operations of FPS will be fully funded 

in fiscal year 2018 through the collection of security fees. Should 

insufficient fee revenue be collected to fully fund operations, an expenditure plan is required describing how security risks will be 

adequately addressed. Within this recommended funding level, FPS 

shall align staffing resources with mission requirements. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $440,035,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 335,033,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 335,033,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥105,002,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

NPPD’s Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) 

appropriation supports the planning, operational development, engineering, and acquisition of assets that support the security and 

resilience of physical and cyber infrastructure. 

59 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $335,033,000 for PC&I, the same as 

the amount requested and $105,002,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

Cybersecurity 

Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation .................................................... $185,180,000 $185,180,000 

National Cybersecurity Protection System ................................................. 56,129,000 56,129,000 

Subtotal, Cybersecurity ..................................................................... 241,309,000 241,309,000 

Emergency Communications 

Next Generation Networks Priority Services ............................................... 48,905,000 48,905,000 

Subtotal, Emergency Communications ............................................. 48,905,000 48,905,000 

Biometric Identity Management 

IDENT/Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology ................................. 40,100,000 40,100,000 

Subtotal, Biometric Identity Management ........................................ 40,100,000 40,100,000 

Integrated Operations Assets and Infrastructure 

Modeling Capability Transition Environment ............................................ 500,000 500,000 

Subtotal, Integrated Operations Assets and Infrastructure ............. 500,000 500,000 

Infrastructure Protection 

Infrastructure Protection (IP) Gateway ...................................................... 4,219,000 4,219,000 

Subtotal, Infrastructure Protection ................................................... 4,219,000 4,219,000 

Total, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements .............................. $335,033,000 $335,033,000 

Cybersecurity 

Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation. Recognizing the everchanging cybersecurity landscape and the increase in associated 

vulnerabilities, the Committee fully supports NPPD’s program 

strategy to evolve and extend CDM protections beyond the network 

to include data protection. The Assistant Secretary of NPPD for Cybersecurity and Communications shall brief the Committee not 

later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the 

timeline and acquisition strategy to implement Phase 4 data protection capabilities (Digital Rights Management, Data Masking, 

Micro-Segmentation, Enhanced Encryption, and Mobile Device 

Management) across all ‘‘.gov’’ civilian agencies. 

The Committee also encourages NPPD to invest in Network Traffic Visibility solutions in Phase 3 to enhance the detection of cyber 

threats across federal networks. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $6,469,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 11,126,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 11,126,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +4,657,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Research and Development (R&D) appropriation supports 

the search for new or refined products and processes to maintain 

or increase national economic productive capacity. 

60 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $11,126,000 for R&D, the same as 

the amount requested and $4,657,000 above the amount provided 

in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Research and Development 

Cybersecurity ....................................................................................................... $4,695,000 $4,695,000 

Infrastructure Protection ..................................................................................... 2,431,000 2,431,000 

Integrated Operations ......................................................................................... 4,000,000 4,000,000 

Total, Research and Development ............................................................. $11,126,000 $11,126,000 

OFFICE OF HEALTH AFFAIRS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $123,548,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 111,319,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 119,319,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥4,229,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +8,000,000 

Mission 

The Office of Health Affairs (OHA) serves as the principal authority for health and medical issues at DHS. OHA provides biological and chemical defense, medical, public health, and scientific 

expertise to support the DHS mission to safeguard the nation. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $123,548,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 111,319,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 119,319,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥4,229,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +8,000,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation funds the management of a national biodetection system; activities to advise DHS 

leadership about health security issues and guide DHS policies to 

keep its workforce safe, and coordinate with the medical first responder community and stakeholders at all levels of government to 

prepare for, respond to, and recover from mass casualty incidents 

and health consequences of terrorism and disasters; and the development of policy, plans, and exercises related to biological and 

chemical defense, infectious diseases, and health security to support the DHS mission. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $119,319,000 for O&S, $8,000,000 

above the amount requested and $4,229,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

61 

Budget request Recommendation 

Operations and Support 

Chemical and Biological Readiness ................................................................... $77,380,000 $77,380,000 

Health and Medical Readiness .......................................................................... 4,120,000 4,120,000 

Integrated Operations ......................................................................................... 1,400,000 9,400,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 28,419,000 28,419,000 

Total, Operations and Support .................................................................. $111,319,000 $119,319,000 

The budget proposes the elimination of the National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC), but provides little substantive 

justification or assessment of the resulting impacts on the Department and on federal, state, local, and private sector partners. Absent such justification, the recommendation includes $8,000,000 

above the request to continue to support NBIC as authorized by 

Public Law 110–53. The Committee encourages NBIC to continue 

its engagement in support of a visualization tool that incorporates 

data from state and local entities that can serve as a bio-preparedness tool for emergency response, emergency management, and law 

enforcement at all levels of government. 

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $11,395,532,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 10,519,570,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 11,434,207,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +38,675,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +914,637,000 Note: Totals include funding designated by the Congress as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 

251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

Mission 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps 

build, sustain, and improve the nation’s capability to prepare for, 

protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards 

through disaster response, recovery, and grant programs supporting first responders, emergency management, mitigation activities, and preparedness. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $1,048,551,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 1,014,748,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,027,135,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥21,416,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +12,387,000 

Operations and Support (O&S) provides core mission development and maintenance of an integrated, nationwide capability to 

prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover from the consequences of major disasters and emergencies regardless of cause, 

in partnership with other federal agencies, state, local, tribal, and 

territorial governments, volunteer organizations, and the private 

sector. Activities supported by this account incorporate the essential command and control functions, mitigate long-term risks, ensure the continuity and restoration of essential services and functions, and provide leadership to build, sustain, and improve the coordination and delivery of support to citizens and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. 

62 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $1,027,135,000 for O&S, 

$12,387,000 above the amount requested and $21,416,000 below 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Operations and Support 

Regional Operations ........................................................................................... $156,417,000 $156,417,000 

Mitigation ............................................................................................................ 36,141,000 36,141,000 

Preparedness and Protection .............................................................................. 131,981,000 131,981,000 

Response and Recovery 

Response .................................................................................................... 175,226,000 182,893,000 

(Urban Search and Rescue) ............................................................. (27,513,000) (35,180,000) 

Recovery ..................................................................................................... 46,694,000 46,694,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 468,289,000 473,009,000 

Total, Operations and Support ......................................................... $1,014,748,000 $1,027,135,000 

(Defense) ........................................................................................... (42,945,000) (42,945,000) 

Mitigation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $36,141,000 for Mitigation, the same as the amount requested and $7,928,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee remains concerned about the adequacy of protective structures in tornado-prone areas of the country. Based on 

studies by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

model codes requiring community safe rooms for new school buildings and other facilities associated with schools where people regularly assemble have been improved in recent years. However, such 

changes may be insufficient in light of the devastating storms and 

tornadoes that have ripped through the Midwest and southern 

states, which have resulted in a tragic loss of human lives and 

caused millions of dollars in property damage. As part of its efforts 

to improve the resiliency of structures, the Committee recommends 

that FEMA consider the adoption of uniform national guidelines for 

safe room design and construction, as well as a requirement that 

safe rooms be incorporated into the design and construction of federally-funded structures located in areas prone to severe weather 

and hazards. 

Response and Recovery 

The Committee recommends $229,587,000 for Response and Recovery, $7,667,000 above the amount requested and $14,345,000 

below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. Within the recommendation is $35,180,000 for the Urban Search and Rescue Response System (USAR), $7,667,000 above the request, to continue 

to support the 28 USAR Task Forces. 

House Report 114–668 directed FEMA to assess the feasibility 

and costs of establishing national veterinary professional emergency teams, which would deploy with USAR teams to assist with 

veterinary care of search and rescue canines and other related response and recovery efforts, and to brief the Committee on its assessment not later than 180 days after the date of enactment. In 

63 

conducting this assessment, the Committee encourages FEMA to 

work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of 

Health and Human Services with similar veterinary emergency 

teams to codify best practices and ensure efforts are not duplicative 

across agencies. 

Mission Support 

The Committee recommends $473,009,000 for Mission Support, 

$4,720,000 above the amount requested and $93,000 above the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The increase above the request reflects the transfer of funding from the Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) appropriation for the 

sustainment of the existing financial management system, which is 

more appropriately funded within O&S. 

FEMA utilizes or supports many geospatial information systems 

(GIS) technologies for response, planning, and mitigation. The 

Committee recognizes that GIS can provide critical information to 

first responders but also represents a vast amount of data that can 

complicate response efforts, particularly for federal, state, and local 

governments with inadequate access to GIS solutions. FEMA 

should work with federal, state, and local partners to integrate GIS 

platforms to better inform disaster response, guide government acquisition of GIS technologies, and improve the quality of GIS tools 

available to first responders. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $35,273,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 89,996,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 76,578,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +41,305,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥13,418,000 

PC&I provide funds necessary for the planning, operational development, engineering, and purchase of one or more assets prior 

to sustainment. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $76,578,000 for PC&I, $13,418,000 

below the amount requested and $41,305,000 above the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

Operational Communications/Information Technology .............................. $12,018,000 $12,018,000 

Construction and Facility Improvements ................................................... 44,519,000 44,519,000 

Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure .............................................. 33,459,000 20,041,000 

Total, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ..................... $89,996,000 $76,578,000 

(Defense) ........................................................................................... (53,262,000) (53,262,000) 

64 

Operational Communications/Information Technology 

As requested, the Committee recommends $12,018,000 for Operational Communications/Information Technology, $9,218,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017, to support Integrated Public Alert Warning System program modernization. 

Construction and Facility Improvements 

As requested, the Committee recommends $44,519,000 for Con- struction and Facility Improvements, $23,469,000 above the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation includes 

$41,244,000 for the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center 

facility; $1,778,000 for facility upgrades at the Center for Domestic 

Preparedness; and $1,497,000 for the National Emergency Training 

Center. Consistent with prior years, FEMA shall brief the Committee on an updated capital infrastructure investment plan not 

later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure 

The Committee recommends $20,041,000 for Mission Support Assets and Infrastructure, $13,418,000 below the amount requested 

and $8,618,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The 

reduction below the request is due to the delay in financial system 

modernization efforts. 

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $2,983,458,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 2,064,130,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 3,003,798,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +20,340,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +939,668,000 

The Federal Assistance (FA) appropriation enables FEMA to provide federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions with 

grants, training, exercises, and other support to prevent, protect 

against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from terrorism and natural disasters. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $3,003,798,000 for FA, $939,668,000 

above the amount requested and $20,340,000 above the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation restores the cuts 

proposed in the budget request to FEMA’s grants and education, 

training, and exercise programs to support first responders. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Federal Assistance 

Grants .............................. ..............................

State Homeland Security Grant Program .................................................. $349,362,000 $467,000,000 

(Operation Stonegarden) ................................................................... – – – (55,000,000) 

Urban Area Security Initiative ................................................................... 448,844,000 630,000,000 

(Nonprofit Security) ........................................................................... – – – (50,000,000) 

Public Transportation Security Assistance ................................................ 47,809,000 100,000,000 

(Amtrak Security) .............................................................................. – – – (10,000,000) 

65 

Budget request Recommendation 

Port Security Grants .................................................................................. 47,809,000 100,000,000 

Assistance to Firefighter Grants ............................................................... 344,344,000 345,000,000 

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants .... 344,344,000 345,000,000 

Emergency Management Performance Grants .......................................... 279,335,000 350,000,000 

National Predisaster Mitigation Fund ....................................................... 39,016,000 100,000,000 

Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis Program (RiskMAP) ................ – – – 177,531,000 

Emergency Food and Shelter ..................................................................... – – – 120,000,000 

Subtotal, Grants ............................................................................... 1,900,863,000 2,734,531,000 

Education, Training, and Exercises Center for Domestic Preparedness 63,771,000 63,771,000 

Center for Homeland Defense and Security .............................................. 17,966,000 17,966,000 

Emergency Management Institute ............................................................. 18,824,000 18,824,000 

U.S. Fire Administration ............................................................................ 41,913,000 41,913,000 

National Domestic Preparedness Consortium ........................................... – – – 98,000,000 

Continuing Training Grants ....................................................................... – – – 8,000,000 

National Exercise Program ........................................................................ 20,793,000 20,793,000 

Subtotal, Education, Training, and Exercises .................................. 163,267,000 269,267,000 

Total, Federal Assistance .......................................................................... $2,064,130,000 $3,003,798,000 

Grants 

The Committee recommends $2,734,531,000 for Grants, 

$833,668,000 above the amount requested and $25,000,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The Committee notes that in fiscal year 2017, $41,000,000 was 

provided to reimburse state and local law enforcement for extraordinary costs associated with the protection of the President in jurisdictions where the President maintains a residence. The Committee will continue to monitor the need for additional funding for 

this purpose in fiscal year 2018 as the bill moves through the appropriations process. 

The Committee remains concerned about potential attacks on 

public accommodations such as sports stadiums, movie theaters, 

shopping centers, and 1 other social gathering sites. These targets 

are especially concerning because they are easy to attack and difficult to defend. Therefore, the Committee directs the DHS to brief 

the Committee on the major challenges we face in securing these 

targets and a strategy for how federal, state, local entities, or 

pivate partnerships can better secure these targets; and what resources are available to address this threat. 

State Homeland Security Grant Program. The Committee recommends $467,000,000 for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), $117,638,000 above the amount requested and the 

same as the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

Within the funds available for SHSGP, the Committee recommends $55,000,000 for Operation Stonegarden grants, which 

should be awarded and administered consistent with direction in 

prior year reports. As part of the fiscal year 2019 budget request, 

FEMA shall include performance measures for Operation 

Stonegarden that clearly demonstrate the extent to which funding 

for the program can be tied to progress in achieving program goals, 

along with estimates for how proposed funding would contribute to 

additional progress. These performance measures should be consistent with 31 U.S.C. 1116 and should include outcome measures, 

as defined by 31 U.S.C. 1115(h). 

66 

State governments play an important role in protecting individuals, businesses, and state and local agencies from cyber-attacks. 

The Committee notes that cybersecurity is identified as a core capability gap in the annual National Preparedness Report. While 

FEMA does not prescribe minimum funding amounts for specific 

capability gaps, FEMA is urged to continue to encourage states to 

address critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities through existing 

SHSGP grant funding. 

Urban Area Security Initiative. The Committee recommends 

$630,000,000 for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), 

$181,156,000 above the amount requested and $25,000,000 above 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The increase above fiscal 

year 2017 is for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. 

The Committee expects the Secretary to prioritize UASI funding 

towards urban areas that are subject to the greatest terrorism risk, 

and to allocate resources in proportion to that risk. Consistent with 

fiscal year 2017, the Department shall limit UASI funding to urban 

areas representing up to 85 percent of the national urban area risk. 

Firefighter Assistance Grants. The Committee recommends 

$690,000,000 for firefighter assistance grants, of which 

$345,000,000 is for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program 

for firefighter equipment, training, vehicles, and other resources, 

and $345,000,000 is for firefighter jobs under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. The total 

amount is $1,312,000 above the request and the same as the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

Today, crude oil-by-rail communities and their first responders 

lack the equipment, training, and operational support they need to 

meet the public safety challenges posed by derailments. FEMA is 

encouraged to give high priority consideration to grants providing 

for planning, training, and equipment to firefighters for crude oilby-rail and ethanol-by-rail derailment and incident response to 

help meet the needs of our most vulnerable communities and first 

responders. 

National Predisaster Mitigation Fund. The Committee recommends $100,000,000 for the National Predisaster Mitigation 

Fund (PDM), $60,984,000 above the amount requested and the 

same as the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. PDM grants are 

one of the only sources of federal mitigation funding for communities prior to a disaster. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that 

these types of investments lead to significant savings by mitigating 

risks, reducing damage from future disasters, and lowering flood 

insurance premiums. 

Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis. The Committee recommends $177,531,000 for Flood Hazard Mapping and Risk Analysis, $177,531,000 above the amount requested and the same as 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. In lieu of discretionary 

funding for FEMA’s Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning 

(Risk MAP) program, the fiscal year 2018 budget proposed to establish a new surcharge on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 

policies to fund these activities. The Committee believes the Risk 

MAP program is critical to a wide range of users, not just flood insurance policy holders. In addition to informing flood insurance 

rates, flood mapping data is used to establish zoning, land use, and 

building standards, and to support infrastructure, transportation, 

67 

and emergency management planning and response. Therefore, the 

recommendation sustains funding for the program at fiscal year 

2017 levels. 

Accurate flood mapping data is the foundation of ensuring that 

communities are resilient in the face of disaster. FEMA’s data collection and modeling processes must be transparent from beginning 

to end and involve the active participation of local jurisdictions to 

ensure maps accurately reflect local conditions and minimize costs 

to local communities. FEMA is directed to assess its existing processes to identify potential areas for improvement, including the 

process for reviewing and responding to appeals of preliminary 

Flood Insurance Rate Maps received from local communities. 

FEMA shall brief the Committee not later than 60 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act on any changes planned or implemented as a result of this assessment. 

Further, FEMA is directed to allocate flood map funding to assist 

local governments and cooperating technical partners in acquiring 

the data collection tools necessary to produce accurate, local data 

that meet FEMA’s standards for use in the agency’s modeling processes to re-map local jurisdictions. 

Education, Training, and Exercises 

The Committee recommends $269,267,000 for Education, Training, and Exercises, $106,000,000 above the amount requested and 

$4,660,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee recognizes that FEMA plays a unique role in 

raising the baseline capabilities of all first responders and is committed to maintaining unique FEMA training opportunities related 

to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives incidents to improve national readiness. 

National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. The Committee recommends $98,000,000 for the National Domestic Preparedness 

Consortium (NDPC), $98,000,000 above the amount requested and 

$3,000,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The 

NDPC provides critical training for the counter-terrorism preparedness needs of the nation’s emergency first responders within the 

context of all hazards, including chemical, biological, radiological, 

and explosive weapons of mass destruction. 

Continuing Training Grants. The Committee recommends 

$8,000,000 for Continuing Training Grants, $8,000,000 above the 

amount requested and the same as the amount provided in fiscal 

year 2017. Funding supports training related to: crisis management for school-based incidents; mass fatality planning and response; the development of emergency operations plans, including 

interagency communications and coordination and response planning for individuals with access and functional needs; rail car safety, particularly for the transportation of crude oil and other hazardous materials; media engagement strategies for first responders; 

agro-terrorism; food and animal safety; environmental health and 

hazardous materials incidents; and the development and delivery of 

cybersecurity-related training, exercises, and technical assistance. 

Within the total, FEMA shall prioritize funding of not less than 

$3,000,000, to be competitively awarded, for FEMA-certified rural 

and tribal training. 

68 

DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $7,328,515,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 7,351,720,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 7,327,720,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥795,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥24,000,000 

Note: Totals include funding designated by the Congress as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 

251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. 

FEMA uses the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) appropriation to direct, coordinate, manage, and fund eligible response and recovery 

efforts associated with domestic major disasters and emergencies 

that overwhelm state and tribal resources pursuant to the Robert 

T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, P.L. 93– 

288 (as amended). Specifically, the DRF supports the pre-disaster 

surge of personnel, equipment, and supplies; response and recovery 

efforts following emergency declarations and major disaster declarations; fire management assistance grants (FMAG); and Disaster Readiness and Support. Response and recovery activities include emergency protection and debris removal; the repair and replacement of qualifying disaster-damaged public infrastructure and 

facilities; eligible hazard mitigation initiatives; financial assistance 

to eligible disaster survivors; and FMAG for qualifying large 

wildfires on non-federal property. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends a total of $7,327,720,000 for the 

DRF, including $6,793,000,000 that is designated by the Congress 

as being for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the 

Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Consistent with the fiscal year 2017 DHS Appropriations Act, the recommendation does not include the proposed $24,000,000 transfer to 

the OIG for audits of disaster-related grant awards, and instead 

provides the funds directly to the OIG for better congressional oversight. 

While prior year statutory requirements for annual and monthly 

DRF reporting are not continued, FEMA shall submit to the Committees and post to the Agency’s website such information in the 

same manner as directed in Public Law 114 4. 

The Committee recognizes the economic stress that can be placed 

on rural regions of the nation following a disaster. In particular, 

many rural communities located in states with large population 

centers are often disadvantaged by the disaster declaration process. 

The Disaster Declaration Improvement Act (H.R. 1665), which 

passed the House unanimously on May 5, 2017, directs the Administrator of FEMA, in making recommendations to the President regarding a major disaster declaration, to give greater weight and 

consideration to severe local impact of disasters. FEMA shall brief 

the Committee not later than 60 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act on how FEMA would implement this directive if enacted 

in law. 

69 

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE FUND

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $181,799,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 253,500,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 203,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +21,701,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥50,000,000 

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a voluntary 

federal program that enables property owners to purchase flood insurance when participating communities adopt and enforce floodplain management requirements that reduce the future economic 

impact of floods on private and public structures. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $13,573,000 for salaries and expenses associated with flood management and $189,927,000 for 

flood plain management and flood mapping. Flood mitigation funds 

are available until September 30, 2019, and are offset by premium 

collections. In addition, the bill establishes obligation limitations on 

the use of mandatory NFIP collections, including $175,000,000 for 

flood mitigation and flood mitigation assistance grants and 

$5,000,000 for the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate (OFIA). 

The recommendation does not include the proposals to establish a 

new surcharge or to increase premiums and surcharges on flood insurance policies, as the authorization of these proposals is not 

under the jurisdiction of this Committee. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommendation 

National Flood Insurance Fund 

Floodplain Management and Mapping ............................................................... $239,927,000 $189,927,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 13,573,000 13,573,000 

Total, National Flood Insurance Fund ....................................................... $253,500,000 $203,500,000 

Offsetting Fee Collections ......................................................................... ¥253,500,000 ¥203,500,000 

The Committee continues to support the OFIA and encourages 

the Advocate to assist policy holders in accessing resources to validate applicable premium rates as FEMA establishes the rating criteria for all NFIP policies. The Advocate is required to aid potential 

policy holders under the NFIP in obtaining and verifying accurate 

and reliable flood insurance rate information when purchasing or 

renewing a flood insurance policy under the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. 

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are the basis for establishing the floodplain management responsibilities of communities 

participating in the Community Rating System program and for determining which properties require flood insurance coverage as a 

condition of receiving a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender. The Committee is aware that, as FEMA updates 

FIRMs across the country, it requests documentation from local 

communities and levee sponsors to demonstrate that levees meet or 

continue to meet the regulatory criteria for accreditation. According 

to a November 2014 Memorandum of Understanding between 

FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), levee inVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
70 

spection reports by USACE may satisfy certain criteria for FEMA 

accreditation. FEMA is directed to work closely with USACE to 

share information related to levee accreditation and avoid imposing 

unnecessary costs on levee sponsors or surrounding communities. 

In many communities, particularly in coastal areas, there are 

often a relatively small number of high-value homes existing alongside far more modest homes and businesses that have been present 

for decades, with a commensurate disparity in household income 

and financial resources. The Committee is aware of concerns that 

the use of micro-simulation models in determining eligibility for 

NFIP vouchers would result in skewed assumptions regarding average home values and incomes of NFIP policy holders, resulting 

in the disqualification of some homeowners who truly need the 

vouchers. As a means to address affordability of the NFIP, it is 

critical that accurate data be used in determining eligibility for and 

distribution of vouchers. For the forthcoming statutorily mandated 

affordability framework in which vouchers are being considered, 

FEMA is directed to collaborate with the Department of Housing 

and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau to use data 

on actual home values and household income instead of simply relying on micro-simulation modeling. 

TITLE III—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 301. The Committee continues a provision limiting expenses for administration of grants. 

Section 302. The Committee continues a provision specifying 

timeframes for grant applications and awards. 

Section 303. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

five day advance notification for certain grant awards under 

‘‘FEMA—Federal Assistance’’. 

Section 304. The Committee continues a provision that addresses 

the availability of certain grant funds for the installation of communications towers. 

Section 305. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

allowing reimbursements for the costs of providing humanitarian 

relief to unaccompanied alien children and to alien adults and their 

minor children to be an eligible use for certain Homeland Security 

grants. 

Section 306. The Committee continues a provision providing for 

the receipt and expenditure of fees collected for the Radiological 

Emergency Preparedness Program, as authorized by Public Law 

105–276. 

TITLE IV—RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND 

SERVICES 

UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $121,139,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 131,513,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 131,513,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +10,374,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

71 

Mission 

The mission of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is to adjudicate and grant immigration and citizenship benefits, provide accurate and useful information to customers, and promote an awareness and understanding of citizenship in support of immigrant integration, while protecting the integrity of the nation’s immigration system. Funded primarily 

through fees, the only discretionary spending is for the E-Verify 

program, an information technology system that enables employers 

to determine a job applicant’s eligibility to work in the United 

States. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $103,912,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 108,856,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 108,856,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +4,944,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The USCIS Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation encompasses the funding for ongoing mission operations, mission support, 

and associated management and administration costs of the EVerify program. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $108,856,000 in discretionary funding for O&S, the same as the amount requested and $4,944,000 

above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee directs DHS, not later than 60 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act, to brief the Committee on changes 

to the vetting process for benefit programs, as directed by the Executive Order, Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry 

into the United States. 

As in prior years, the bill makes available $10,000,000 in fee revenue to support the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. In 

addition, USCIS continues to have the authority to accept private 

donations to support this program. The Committee directs USCIS 

to provide an update on its planned use of this authority not later 

than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee directs DHS to administer the H–2B and H–2A 

visa programs in a manner consistent with the law and to continue 

to process applications as quickly as possible. 

As directed in House Report 114–668, USCIS shall continue to 

brief the Committee on its framework for prioritizing Immigration 

Benefit Fraud Assessments, to include how USCIS currently applies fraud prevention and detection techniques. 

The Committee encourages USCIS to maintain naturalization 

fees at an affordable level and expects the continued use of fee 

waivers for applicants who can demonstrate an inability to pay the 

naturalization fee. USCIS is also encouraged to consider whether 

the current naturalization fee is a barrier to naturalization for 

those earning between 150 percent and 200 percent of the federal 

poverty guidelines, who are not currently eligible for a fee waiver. 

72 

A recent GAO report on the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system (GAO–17–204) found that, while the system accurately reported the status of benefit applicants 99 percent 

of the time, the majority of user agencies did not complete additional steps to verify an applicant’s immigration status when 

prompted by the system to do so. In addition, the report found that 

USCIS’s mechanisms for allowing benefit applicants to correct inaccurate personal information was inadequate, and concluded that 

the SAVE Monitoring and Compliance Branch lacks a documented, 

risk-based strategy for monitoring user agencies. The Committee 

expects USCIS to provide regular updates on the status of complying with the report’s nine recommendations. 

The Committee encourages USCIS to work with CBP to provide 

lawful permanent residents who arrive at ports of entry with information about the naturalization process and to encourage them to 

apply for U.S. citizenship. USCIS and CBP can provide this information through Automated Passport Control self-service kiosks or 

through naturalization videos or signage created by the Office of 

Citizenship for display at USCIS locations and in the passport control or customs lines where lawful permanent residents wait to reenter the United States. 

The Committee urges USCIS to dedicate additional resources to 

the adjudication of U visas for victims of certain crimes who have 

suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of 

criminal activity. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $15,227,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 22,657,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 22,657,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. 7,430,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The USCIS Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

(PC&I) appropriation funds the planning and acquisition costs for 

the E-Verify program, which helps U.S. employers ensure they 

have a legal workforce by providing employment authorization status verification of their recently hired employees. The PC&I appropriation helps ensure the integrity of the immigration system 

through strengthening and modernizing the infrastructure supporting the E-Verify program. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $22,657,000 in discretionary fund- ing for PC&I, the same as the request and $7,430,000 above the 

amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTERS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $242,518,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 272,759,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 260,099,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +17,581,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥12,660,000 

73 

Mission 

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) serves 

as an interagency law enforcement training organization for over 

90 federal agencies and numerous state, local, tribal, and international law enforcement agencies. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $242,518,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 272,759,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 260,099,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +17,581,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ ¥12,660,000 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation funds expenses 

in support of the Law Enforcement Training and Mission Support 

PPAs, including: salaries and benefits; supplies, services, and 

equipment; travel; basic training tuition and overhead; minor construction and maintenance; and supplies, services, and equipment, 

among other expenses. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $260,099,000 for O&S, $12,660,000 

below the amount requested and $17,581,000 above the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. The reduction to the request reflects 

updated hiring timelines by CBP and ICE. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget Request Recommended 

Operations and Support 

Law Enforcement Training .................................................................................. $244,725,000 $232,065,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 28,034,000 28,034,000 

Total, Operations and Support .................................................................. $272,759,000 $260,099,000 

The Director of FLETC shall schedule basic or advanced law enforcement training, or both, at all four training facilities to ensure 

they are operated at the highest capacity throughout the fiscal 

year. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $781,746,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 627,324,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 638,100,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥143,646,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +10,776,000 

Mission 

The mission of the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is 

to conduct and support research, development, developmental and 

operational testing and evaluation, and the timely transition of 

homeland security capabilities to federal, state, and local operational end users. 

74 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $311,122,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 254,618,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 254,618,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥56,504,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation funds the management of S&T activities to deliver advanced technology solutions 

to DHS components and first responders. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $254,618,000 for O&S, the same as 

the amount requested and $56,504,000 below the amount provided 

in fiscal year 2017. 

Without prejudice, and due to funding limitations, the recommendation does not include support for three laboratory facilities owned and operated by S&T that the Administration proposed 

for closure. Although the Department has asserted that much of 

the work performed at these facilities is not directly tied to the 

DHS mission or that research and capabilities within the DHS mission space may be replicated at other facilities, it has not sufficiently justified the proposed closures or adequately planned for 

how their operations will be either phased out or could be realigned 

to other agencies. The closure of the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory and the Chemical Security Analysis Center will 

reduce the ability the homeland security community to prepare, 

protect and respond to radiological, nuclear and chemical threats. 

In addition, the Committee is very concerned that the closure of 

the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center 

(NBACC) will result in a loss in capability to the federal government in the field of bio-forensics and bio-threats, which has broader 

implications for the safety of the American people. Therefore, the 

Committee directs S&T to work with other federal stakeholders 

which utilize the facility to determine whether NBACC should be 

transitioned to another agency and, if so, plan, prepare for, and implement an orderly transition during fiscal year 2018. S&T and 

other federal stakeholders identified by S&T, including the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation, shall jointly brief the Committee not later 

than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act on its transition plan and timeline for execution. If the joint determination is 

for S&T to maintain ownership of NBACC, the briefing shall address an appropriate plan for other federal stakeholders to reimburse S&T for their share of the costs incurred to operate the facility, conduct R&D, and perform additional activities in furtherance 

of those agencies missions. In the meantime, pending final dispositions on the proposed closures of the three labs in a final appropriations Act, S&T is directed to refrain from making any final decisions that would begin or require the closure of the three labs. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Operations and Support 

Laboratory Facilities ........................................................................................... $92,243,000 $92,243,000 

75 

Budget request Recommendation 

Acquisition and Operations Analysis .................................................................. 42,552,000 42,552,000 

Mission Support .................................................................................................. 119,823,000 119,823,000 

Total, Operations and Support .................................................................. $254,618,000 $254,618,000 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $470,624,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 372,706,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 383,482,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥87,142,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ +10,776,000 

The Research and Development (R&D) appropriation funds stateof-the-art technology and solutions to meet the needs of DHS components and the first responder community, including critical 

homeland security-related research and education at U.S. colleges 

and universities to address high-priority, DHS-related challenges 

and to enhance homeland security capabilities over the long term. 

Recommendation 

The Committee recommends $383,482,000 for R&D, $10,776,000 

above the amount requested and $87,142,000 below the amount 

provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Research and Development 

Research, Development, and Innovation ............................................................ $342,982,000 $342,982,000 

University Programs ............................................................................................ 29,724,000 40,500,000 

Total, Research and Development ............................................................. $372,706,000 $383,482,000 

Research, Development, and Innovation 

The Committee recommends $342,982,000 for Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I), the same as the amount requested 

and $87,142,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

S&T is directed to brief the Committee not later than 30 days after 

the date of enactment of this Act on the proposed allocation of 

RD&I funds by project and thrust area, and to update the Committee on any changes from the original allocation. 

The Committee supports the continued implementation of the Integrated Product Team process, which prioritizes R&D activities 

across the Department and directly links S&T projects to component-identified and validated technological capability gaps. Further, the Committee continues to support S&T’s Apex programs, 

which focus on critical research areas such as developing and fielding next generation first responder technology. 

The Committee recognizes the importance of the resilience and 

security of the nation’s critical infrastructure—both physical and 

cyber—to national security and economic vitality. S&T is encouraged to support R&D and education initiatives to strengthen these 

efforts in a collaborative, interdisciplinary manner that leverages 

76 

the private sector, academic institutions, industry, and other federal government organizations. 

S&T and the Coast Guard are encouraged to continue existing 

partnerships with museums and schools on oceanographic programs that support science, technology, engineering, and math education, and consider expanding these programs with minority-serving institutions. 

The Committee encourages the continued collaboration between 

S&T and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security in the development 

of first responder and cybersecurity technologies, as authorized in 

Public Law 114–304. 

The Committee is concerned with the security vulnerabilities of 

our nation’s mass transit and passenger rail systems, and the ability of violent extremist organizations or individuals to exploit 

weaknesses in existing rail safety systems. Therefore, the Committee strongly encourages DHS to explore ways to better utilize 

its laboratory facilities to rapidly research, develop, prototype, and 

deploy cutting-edge counterterrorism technologies to close any 

counterterrorism gaps in our mass transit and passenger rail systems. 

The Committee supports S&T’s efforts to develop, promote, and 

transfer open source software and other open technologies, including activities conducted through the DHS Homeland Open Security 

Technology program and associated activities. 

The Committee is aware of a recent datacasting pilot program 

which DHS conducted in collaboration with Houston Public Media 

and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. The Committee is encouraged by this novel application of existing technology and use of available electromagnetic spectrum and requests 

a briefing on this program and the Department’s plans for future 

deployment within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee commends DHS on issuing its Plan to Support 

Increased Public Access to the Results of Research Funded by the 

Federal Government on December 27, 2016. The Committee urges 

the Department to continue its efforts towards full implementation 

of the plan and directs S&T to provide an update on its progress 

not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 

The Committee supports the new S&T Small Unmanned Aircraft 

Systems Demonstration Range Facility, and encourages S&T to leverage this facility to advance research on maritime UAS systems 

and sensors. 

The Committee is aware of ongoing R&D by both S&T and the 

Coast Guard on promising technologies that can search wide 

swaths of open ocean from an aircraft and detect a person in the 

water. These technologies have the potential to greatly enhance the 

Coast Guard’s search and rescue mission, as well as be used in several other homeland security applications. S&T and the Coast 

Guard are encouraged to continue their efforts in this field and to 

brief the Committees on the status not later than 90 days after the 

date of enactment of this Act. 

University Programs 

The Committee recommends $40,500,000 for University Programs, $10,776,000 above the amount requested and the same as 

the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. The recommendation reVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
77 

stores the proposed cuts to University Programs to ensure S&T’s 

ability to maintain 10 Centers of Excellence. The Committee encourages S&T to prioritize collaborations with research universities 

to support research in critical homeland security topics, including 

border security, cybersecurity, supply chain defense, biological 

threats, animal defense, modeling and simulation, and first responder safety. 

DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $352,484,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 330,440,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 330,440,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥22,044,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

Mission 

The mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is to prevent nuclear terrorism by continuously improving capabilities to 

deter, detect, respond to, and attribute attacks, in coordination 

with domestic and international partners. 

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $50,042,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 54,664,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 54,664,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. +4,622,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Operations and Support (O&S) appropriation supports the 

day-to-day operation and maintenance of the organization, including, but not limited to, salaries, services, supplies, utilities, travel, 

training, and transportation, as well as minor procurement, construction, and improvement projects. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $54,664,000 for O&S, $4,622,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $101,053,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 87,096,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 87,096,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥13,957,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements (PC&I) provides 

funds necessary for the planning, operational development, engineering, and purchase of one or more assets prior to sustainment. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $87,096,000 for PC&I, 

$13,957,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

78 

Budget request Recommendation 

Procurement, Construction, and Improvements 

Large Scale Detection Systems .......................................................................... $62,524,000 $62,524,000 

Human Portable Radiation/Nuclear Detection Systems ..................................... 24,572,000 24,572,000 

Subtotal, Procurement, Construction, and Improvements ........................ $87,096,000 $87,096,000 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $155,061,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 144,161,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 144,161,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥10,900,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Research and Development (R&D) appropriation supports 

fundamental knowledge discovery, basic and applied research, technology and systems development leading to product acquisition, 

test and evaluation, and associated costs. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $144,161,000 for R&D, 

$10,900,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

Budget request Recommendation 

Research and Development 

Architecture Planning and Analysis ................................................................... $15,937,000 $15,937,000 

Transformational Research and Development ................................................... 60,581,000 60,581,000 

Detection Capability Development ...................................................................... 15,155,000 15,155,000 

Detection Capability Assessments ..................................................................... 34,127,000 34,127,000 

Nuclear Forensics ............................................................................................... 18,361,000 18,361,000 

Total, Research and Development ............................................................. $144,161,000 $144,161,000 

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 ......................................................... $46,328,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ....................................................... 44,519,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 44,519,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2017 .................................................. ¥1,809,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2018 ................................................ – – – 

The Federal Assistance (FA) appropriation supports integration 

and outreach efforts necessary to ensure that federal, state, local, 

tribal, and territorial (FSLTT) partners have access to and the 

knowledge of how to leverage available resources to support the radiological/nuclear detection mission. It also helps ensure that radiological/nuclear detection equipment deployed by FSLTT partners 

are accompanied by the appropriate concepts of operations, training, exercises, and radiological/nuclear alarm response protocols. 

Recommendation 

As requested, the Committee recommends $44,519,000 for FA, 

$1,809,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2017. 

A comparison of the budget request to the Committee recommended level by budget activity is as follows: 

79 

Budget request Recommendation 

Federal Assistance 

Federal, State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Support ........................................ $23,384,000 $23,384,000 

Securing the Cities ............................................................................................. 21,135,000 21,135,000 

Total, Federal Assistance .......................................................................... $44,519,000 $44,519,000 

TITLE IV—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

Section 401. The Committee continues a provision allowing 

USCIS to acquire, operate, equip, and dispose of up to five vehicles 

under certain scenarios. 

Section 402. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

USCIS from granting immigration benefits unless the results of 

background checks are completed prior to the granting of the benefit and the results do not preclude the granting of the benefit. 

Section 403. The Committee continues a provision limiting the 

use of A–76 competitions by USCIS. 

Section 404. The Committee continues a provision making immigration examination fee collections explicitly available for immigrant integration grants, not to exceed $10,000,000, in fiscal year 

2018. 

Section 405. The Committee continues a provision authorizing 

FLETC to distribute funds for incurred training expenses. 

Section 406. The Committee continues a provision directing the 

FLETC Accreditation Board to lead the federal law enforcement 

training accreditation process to measure and assess federal law 

enforcement training programs, facilities, and instructors. 

Section 407. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

establishing the ‘‘Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers—Procurement, Construction, and Improvements’’ appropriation, and allowing for the acceptance of transfers from government agencies 

into this appropriation. 

Section 408. The Committee continues a provision classifying 

FLETC instructor staff as inherently governmental for certain considerations. 

TITLE V—GENERAL PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

Section 501. The Committee continues a provision limiting the 

availability of appropriations to one year unless otherwise expressly provided. 

Section 502. The Committee continues a provision providing that 

unexpended balances of prior year appropriations may be merged 

with new appropriation accounts and used for the same purpose, 

subject to reprogramming guidelines. 

Section 503. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

limiting authority to reprogram funds within an appropriation 

above a specified threshold unless the Department provides notification to the Committees on Appropriations at least 15 days in advance, and providing authority to transfer not more than 5 percent 

between appropriations accounts, with a requirement for a 30-day 

advance notification. A detailed funding table identifying each congressional control level for reprogramming purposes is included at 

the end of this report. 

80 

These reprogramming and transfer requirements shall be complied with by all agencies funded by the Department of Homeland 

Security Appropriations Act, 2017. In addition, the Department 

shall submit reprogramming and transfer notifications on a timely 

basis and provide complete explanations of the reallocations proposed, including detailed justifications of the increases and offsets, 

and any specific impact the proposed changes will have on the 

budget request for the following fiscal year and future-year appropriations requirements. Each notification submitted to the Committees should include a detailed table showing the proposed revisions 

at the account, program, project, and activity level to the funding 

and FTE levels for the current fiscal year and the levels requested 

in the President’s budget for the following fiscal year. 

The Department shall manage its programs and activities within 

the levels appropriated, and should only submit reprogramming or 

transfer notifications in cases of unforeseeable and compelling circumstances that could not have been predicted when formulating 

the budget request for the budget year. When the Department submits a reprogramming or transfer notification to the Committees 

and does not receive identical responses from the House and the 

Senate, it is expected to reconcile the House and the Senate differences before proceeding. 

The Department is not to submit a notification for a reprogramming or transfer of funds after June 30 except in extraordinary circumstances that imminently threaten the safety of human life or 

the protection of property. If a reprogramming or transfer is needed 

after June 30, the notice should contain sufficient documentation 

as to why it meets this statutory exception. 

Deobligated funds are also subject to the reprogramming and 

transfer guidelines and requirements set forth in this section. The Secretary is permitted to transfer up to $20,000,000 to address immigration emergencies. 

Section 504. The Committee continues a provision by reference 

prohibiting funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the 

Department to make payment to the Working Capital Fund (WCF), 

except for activities and amounts allowed in the President’s fiscal 

year 2018 budget request. Funds provided to the WCF are available until expended. The Department can only charge components 

for direct usage of the WCF and these funds may be used only for 

the purposes consistent with the WCF uses of the contributing 

component. Any funds paid in advance or for reimbursement must 

reflect the full cost of each service. The Department shall submit 

a notification prior to adding a new activity to the fund or eliminating an existing activity from the fund. For activities added to 

the fund, such notifications shall detail the source of funds by PPA. 

In addition, the Department shall submit quarterly WCF execution 

reports to the Committees that include activity-level detail. 

Section 505. The Committee continues a provision providing that 

not to exceed 50 percent of unobligated balances from prior year 

appropriations for each Operations and Support appropriation, the 

Coast Guard’s Operating Expenses appropriation, and amounts for 

salaries and expenses in the Coast Guard’s Reserve Training and 

Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements accounts, shall remain available through fiscal year 2019, subject to section 503 reprogramming requirements. 

81 

Section 506. The Committee continues a provision that deems intelligence activities to be specifically authorized during fiscal year 

2018 until the enactment of an Act authorizing intelligence activities for fiscal year 2018. 

Section 507. The Committee continues a provision requiring notification to the Committees at least three days before DHS executes 

or announces grant allocations; grant awards; contract awards, including contracts covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation; 

other transaction agreements; letters of intent; a task or delivery 

order on multiple award contracts totaling $1,000,000 or more; a 

task or delivery order greater than $10,000,000 from multi-year 

funds; or sole-source grant awards. Notifications shall include a description of projects or activities to be funded and their location, including city, county, and state. 

Section 508. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting all 

agencies from purchasing, constructing, or leasing additional facilities for federal law enforcement training without advance notification to the Committees. 

Section 509. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds for any construction, repair, alteration, or acquisition 

project for which a prospectus, if required under chapter 33 of title 

40, United States Code, has not been approved. 

Section 510. The Committee continues a provision that consolidates by reference prior-year statutory provisions related to a contracting officer’s technical representative training; sensitive security information; and the use of funds in conformance with section 

303 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. 

Section 511. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds in contravention of the Buy American Act. 

Section 512. The Committee continues a provision regarding the 

oath of allegiance required by section 337 of the Immigration and 

Nationality Act. 

Section 513. The Committee continues a provision by reference 

that prohibits funding for any position designated as a Principal 

Federal Official during a Stafford Act declared disaster or emergency. 

Section 514. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds for planning, testing, piloting, or developing a national identification card. 

Section 515. The Committee continues a provision directing that 

any official required by this Act to report or certify to the Committees on Appropriations may not delegate such authority unless expressly authorized to do so in this Act. 

Section 516. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds for the transfer or release of individuals detained at 

United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba into or within the United States. 

Section 517. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds in this Act to be used for first-class travel. 

Section 518. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds to employ illegal workers as described in Section 

274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

Section 519. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to pay 

for award or incentive fees for contractors with below satisfactory 

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performance or performance that fails to meet the basic requirements of the contract. 

Section 520. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting the 

use of funds to enter into a federal contract unless the contract 

meets requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative 

Services Act of 1949 or chapter 137 of title 10 U.S.C., and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, unless the contract is otherwise authorized by statute without regard to this section. 

Section 521. The Committee continues and modifies a provision providing $42,233,000 for financial systems modernization activities. 

Section 522. The Committee continues a provision requiring DHS 

computer systems to block electronic access to pornography, except 

for law enforcement purposes. 

Section 523. The Committee continues a provision regarding the 

transfer of firearms by federal law enforcement personnel. 

Section 524. The Committee continues a provision regarding 

funding restrictions and reporting requirements related to conferences occurring outside of the United States. 

Section 525. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds to reimburse any federal department or agency for its participation in a National Special Security Event. 

Section 526. The Committee continues a provision requiring a notification, including justification materials, prior to implementing 

any structural pay reform that affects more than 100 full-time positions or costs more than $5,000,000. 

Section 527. The Committee continues a provision directing the 

Department to post on a public website reports required by the 

Committees on Appropriations unless public posting compromises 

homeland or national security or contains proprietary information. 

Section 528. The Committee continues a provision authorizing 

minor procurement, construction, and improvements under Operations and Support appropriations, as specified. 

Section 529. The Committee continues a provision related to the 

Arms Trade Treaty. 

Section 530. The Committee includes a new provision to authorize DHS to fund out of existing discretionary appropriations the expenses of primary and secondary schooling of eligible dependents in 

areas in territories where Department of Defense schools are unavailable and public schools available do not adequately meet education requirements. 

Section 531. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

rescinding unobligated balances from specified programs. 

Section 532. The Committee continues a provision rescinding 

specified funds from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. 

Section 533. The Committee continues and modifies a provision 

rescinding unobligated balances from the FEMA DRF. 

Section 534. The Committee includes a provision allowing the 

Department to designate ports of entry. 

Section 535. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting ICE 

from paying for abortions except in certain circumstances. 

Section 536. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting ICE 

from requiring any person to perform an abortion. 

Section 537. The Committee includes a provision to clarify ICE’s 

obligation to provide escort services outside the detention facility. 

83 

Section 538. The Committee includes a provision regarding the 

H–2A seasonal agriculture worker program. 

Section 539. The Committee includes a provision granting lawful 

permanent resident status in the U.S. to Charlie Gard and his family for the purposes of medical treatment. 

Section 540. The Committee includes a provision changing the 

statute of limitations for the recovery of FEMA Public Assistance 

Grants. 

Section 541. The Committee includes a Spending Reduction Account, as required in House of Representatives Rules. 

APPROPRIATIONS CAN BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH

MADE

Title 31 of the United States Code makes clear that appropriations can be used only for the purposes for which they were appropriated as follows: 

Section 1301. Application. 

(a) Appropriations shall be applied only to the objects for which 

the appropriations were made except as otherwise provided by law. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS 

The following items are included in accordance with various requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

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STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII off the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which this measure authorizes funding: 

The Committee on Appropriations considers program performance, including a program’s success in developing and attaining 

outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing funding recommendations. 

RESCISSION OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the 

rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill: 

Account / Activity Rescissions 

TSA, Operations and Support (P.L. 115–31) .................................................$12,928,000 

Coast Guard, Alteration of Bridges (P.L. 108–334) ...................................... 1,786,000 

Coast Guard, Alteration of Bridges (P.L. 109–90) ........................................ 1,920,000 

Coast Guard, Alteration of Bridges (P.L. 109–295) ...................................... 1,791,000 

Coast Guard, Alteration of Bridges (P.L. 110–161) ...................................... 3,222,000 

Coast Guard, Alteration of Bridges (P.L. 111–83) ........................................ 3,681,000 

Coast Guard, AC&I (P.L. 114–113) ................................................................ 25,000,000 

Coast Guard, AC&I (P.L. 115–31) .................................................................. 95,000,000 

Treasury Asset Forfeiture Fund .....................................................................187,000,000 

FEMA, Disaster Relief Fund ..........................................................................875,575,000 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

Neither the bill nor report contain any provisions that specifically direct the transfer of funds. 

DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING

ITEMS

Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI. 

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3(e) (RAMSEYER RULE) 

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italics, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

ROBERT T. STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND 

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE VII—MISCELLANEOUS 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 705. DISASTER GRANT CLOSEOUT PROCEDURES. 

(a) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—øExcept¿ Notwithstanding section 3716(e) 

of title 31, United States Code, and except as provided in paragraph (2), no administrative action to recover any payment 

made to a State or local government for disaster or emergency 

94 

assistance under this Act shall be initiated in any forum after 

the date that is 3 years after the date of transmission of the 

final expenditure øreport for the disaster or emergency¿ report 

for project completion as certified by the grantee. 

(2) FRAUD EXCEPTION.—The limitation under paragraph (1) 

shall apply unless there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud. 

(b) REBUTTAL OF PRESUMPTION OF RECORD MAINTENANCE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—In any dispute arising under this section 

after the date that is 3 years after the date of transmission of 

the final expenditure øreport for the disaster or emergency¿ report for project completion as certified by the grantee, there 

shall be a presumption that accounting records were maintained that adequately identify the source and application of 

funds provided for financially assisted activities. 

(2) AFFIRMATIVE EVIDENCE.—The presumption described in 

paragraph (1) may be rebutted only on production of affirmative evidence that the State or local government did not maintain documentation described in that paragraph. 

(3) INABILITY TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTATION.—The inability of 

the Federal, State, or local government to produce source documentation supporting expenditure reports later than 3 years 

after the date of transmission of the final expenditure report 

for project completion as certified by the grantee shall not constitute evidence to rebut the presumption described in paragraph (1). 

(4) RIGHT OF ACCESS.—The period during which the Federal, 

State, or local government has the right to access source documentation shall not be limited to the required 3-year retention 

period referred to in paragraph (3), but shall last as long as 

the records are maintained. 

(c) BINDING NATURE OF GRANT REQUIREMENTS.—A State or local 

government shall not be liable for reimbursement or any other penalty for any payment made under this Act if— 

(1) the payment was authorized by an approved agreement 

specifying the costs; 

(2) the costs were reasonable; and 

(3) the purpose of the grant was accomplished. 

* * * * * * * 

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CLAUSE 3(f)(1)(A) 

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee has inserted at the appropriate 

place in the report a description of the effects of provisions proposed in the accompanying bill which may be considered, under 

certain circumstances, to change the application of existing law, either directly or indirectly. 

The bill provides, in some instances, funding of agencies and activities where legislation has not yet been finalized. In addition, the 

bill carries language, in some instances, permitting activities not 

authorized by law. Additionally, the Committee includes a number 

of general provisions. 

95 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, 

INTELLIGENCE, AND OVERSIGHT 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for executive 

management for operations and support, including funds for reception and representation expenses. 

MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support, including funds for reception and representation expenses and provides two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing for funds for procurement, construction, and improvements. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Committee includes language providing funds for research 

and development. 

INTELLIGENCE, ANALYSIS, AND OPERATIONS COORDINATION

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for the Office 

of Intelligence and Analysis and the Office of Operations Coordination, including funding for official representation expenses, and 

provides two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for the Office 

of Inspector General as well as certain confidential operational expenses, including the payment of informants. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Language requiring the Secretary to submit the Future Years 

Homeland Security Program at the same time as the President’s 

budget proposal. 

Language requiring the Chief Financial Officer to submit monthly budget execution and staffing reports within 30 days after the 

close of each month. 

Language regarding grants or contracts awarded by means other 

than full and open competition and requires the Inspector General 

to review them and report the results to the Committees. 

Language requiring the Secretary to link all contracts that provide award fees to successful acquisition outcomes. 

96 

Language requiring the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Treasury, to notify the Committees of any proposed transfers from the Department of Treasury Forfeiture Fund to any agency at DHS. 

Language related to official costs of the Secretary and Deputy 

Secretary. 

Language requiring the Secretary to submit reports on visa overstay data and to post border security metrics on its website. 

TITLE II—SECURITY, ENFORCEMENT, AND 

INVESTIGATIONS 

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language making funds available for operations and support including funds for the transportation of unaccompanied minor aliens; air and marine assistance to other law 

enforcement agencies and humanitarian efforts; purchase or lease 

of vehicles; maintenance, and procurement of marine vessels, aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems; contracting with individuals for 

personal services; Harbor Maintenance Fee collections; official reception and representation expenses; Customs User Fee collections; 

payment of rental space in connection with preclearance operations; and compensation of informants. The Committee provides 

two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, and improvements, to include procurements to 

buy, maintain, or operate aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems. 

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support, including funds for reception and representation expenses, salaries and benefits of operational and mission support 

personnel, and the operation and maintenance necessary to sustain 

the daily effectiveness of equipment and facilities. The Committee 

includes language making funds available for the civil enforcement 

of immigration and customs laws, including the detention and removal of immigration status violators; special operations; for compensation to informants; for the reimbursement of other Federal 

agencies for certain costs; for the purchase or lease of vehicles; for 

maintenance, minor construction, and minor improvements of 

owned and leased facilities; and for the enforcement of child labor 

laws. The Committee provides two-year availability of funds for 

certain activities. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, renovation, and improvements. 

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TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support, including funds for reception and representation expenses, and establishes conditions under which security fees are 

collected and credited. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, and improvements. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Committee includes language providing funds for research 

and development. 

COAST GUARD

OPERATING EXPENSES

The Committee language providing funds for the operations and 

maintenance of the Coast Guard, including passenger motor vehicles; small boats; repairs and service life-replacements; purchase, 

lease, or improvement of other equipment; minor shore construction projects; recreation and welfare; defense-related activities; and 

the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. The Committee also includes 

language on reception and representation expenses. 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND RESTORATION

The Committee includes language providing funds for environmental compliance and restoration of the Coast Guard. 

RESERVE TRAINING

The Committee includes language providing funds for the Coast 

Guard Reserve, including maintenance and operation of the Reserve Program; personnel and training costs; and equipment and 

services. 

ACQUISITIONS, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for the Coast 

Guard acquisition, construction, renovation, and improvement of 

aids to navigation, shore facilities, vessels, and aircraft. 

RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST, AND EVALUATION

The Committee includes language providing funds for research, 

development, test, and evaluation; and for maintenance, rehabilitation, lease and operation of facilities and equipment. The Committee includes language authorizing funds to be derived from the 

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund; and authorizing funds received from 

state and local governments, other public authorities, private 

sources, and foreign countries to be credited to this account and 

used for certain purposes. 

98 

RETIRED PAY

The Committee includes language providing funds for retired pay 

and medical care for the Coast Guard’s retired personnel and their 

dependents and makes these funds available until expended. 

UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language that provides funds for operations and support to include funds for the purchase and replacement of vehicles; the hire of passenger motor vehicles; aircraft; purchase of motorcycles; rental of certain buildings; improvements to 

buildings as may be necessary for protective missions; firearms 

matches; presentation of awards; research; advance payment for 

commercial accommodations; per diem and subsistence allowances; 

official reception and representation expenses; technical assistance 

and equipment to foreign law enforcement organizations. The Committee provides for two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, and improvement of facilities. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Committee includes language providing funds for research 

and development. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Language regarding overtime compensation. 

Language allowing CBP to sustain or increase operations in 

Puerto Rico. 

Language the transfer of aircraft and related equipment out of 

CBP unless certain conditions are met. 

Language regarding the availability of COBRA fee revenue. 

Language allowing CBP access to certain reimbursements for 

preclearance activities. 

Language regarding the importation of prescription drugs by an 

individual for personal use. 

Language regarding waivers of the Jones Act. 

Language prohibiting funds from being used by DHS to approve, 

license, facilitate, authorize, or allow the trafficking or import of 

property confiscated by the Cuban Government. 

Language allowing the Secretary to reprogram funds within and 

transfer funds to ‘‘U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement— 

Operations and Support’’ to ensure the detention of aliens 

prioritized for removal. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds provided under the heading ‘‘U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—Operations and 

Support’’ for the 287(g) program if the terms of the agreement governing the delegation of authority have been materially violated. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds provided under the heading ‘‘U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement—Operations and 

Support’’ to contract for detention services if the facility receives 

99 

less than ‘‘adequate’’ ratings in two consecutive performance evaluations. 

Language clarifying that certain elected and appointed officials 

are not exempt from federal passenger and baggage screening. 

Language authorizing TSA to use funds from the Aviation Security Capital Fund for the procurement and installation of explosives detection systems or for other purposes authorized by law. 

Language prohibiting funds made available by this Act under the 

heading ‘‘Coast Guard—Operating Expenses’’ for recreational vessel 

expenses, except to the extent fees are collected from owners of 

yachts and credited to this appropriation. 

Language allowing up to $10,000,000 to be reprogrammed to or 

from Military Pay and Allowances within ‘‘Coast Guard—Operating 

Expenses’’. 

Language allowing the Secret Service to obligate funds in anticipation of reimbursement for personnel receiving training. 

Language prohibiting funds made available to the Secret Service 

for the protection of the head of a federal agency other than the 

Secretary of Homeland Security, except where the Director has entered into a reimbursable agreement for such protection services. 

Language allowing the reprogramming of funds within ‘‘United 

States Secret Service—Operations and Support’’. 

Language allowing for funds made available for ‘‘United States 

Secret Service—Operations and Support’’ to be available for travel 

of employees on protective missions without regard to limitations 

on such expenditures in this or any other Act after notification to 

the Committees on Appropriation. 

TITLE III—PROTECTION, PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND 

RECOVERY 

NATIONAL PROTECTION AND PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support, including funds for reception and representation expenses. The Committee provides for two-year availability of funds 

for certain activities. 

FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE

The Committee includes language making funds available until 

expended for the operations of the Federal Protective Service 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, and improvements. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Committee includes language providing funds for research 

and development. 

100 

OFFICE OF HEALTH AFFAIRS

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support, including two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, renovation, and improvements. 

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

The Committee includes language providing funds for grants, 

contracts, cooperative agreements, and other activities, including 

for terrorism prevention, public transportation and railroad security, port security, firefighter assistance, emergency management, 

predisaster mitigation, flood hazard mapping and risk analysis, 

emergency food and shelter, and education, training, exercises, 

technical assistance, and other programs. 

DISASTER RELIEF FUND

The Committee includes language making funds available until 

expended for the Disaster Relief Fund. 

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE FUND

The Committee includes language making funds available for 

mission support associated with flood management and programs 

and activities under the National Flood Insurance Fund, including 

flood plain management and flood mapping. The Committee includes provisions limiting operating expenses, commissions and 

taxes of agents, interest on Treasury borrowings, and flood mitigation activities associated with the National Flood Insurance Act of 

1968. The Committee includes language permitting additional fees 

collected to be credited as an offsetting collection and available for 

floodplain management, and language providing that not to exceed 

four percent of the total appropriation is available for administrative cost and that funds are available for the Flood Insurance Advocate. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Language limiting expenses for administration of grants. 

Language specifying timeframes for grant applications and 

awards. 

Language requires five day advance notification for certain grant 

awards under ‘‘FEMA—Federal Assistance’’. 

Language that addresses the availability of certain grant funds 

for the installation of communications towers. 

101 

Language allowing reimbursements for the costs of providing humanitarian relief to unaccompanied alien children and to alien 

adults and their minor children to be an eligible use for certain 

Homeland Security grants. 

Language providing for the receipt and expenditure of fees collected for the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, as 

authorized by Public Law 105–276. 

TITLE IV—RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING, AND 

SERVICES 

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language making funds available for operations and support for the E–Verify program. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language making funds available for the 

E–Verify program for procurement, construction, and improvements. 

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTERS

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language making funds available for operations and support including for official representation expenses 

and purchase of police-type pursuit vehicles. The Committee provides two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support for the Science and Technology Directorate. The Committee provides two-year availability of funds for certain activities. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Committee includes language providing funds for research 

and development. 

DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE

OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT

The Committee includes language providing funds for operations 

and support for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office. 

PROCUREMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee includes language providing funds for procurement, construction, renovation, and improvements. 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Committee includes language providing funds for research 

and development. 

102 

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE

The Committee includes language providing funds for federal assistance through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and 

other activities. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Language allowing USCIS to acquire, operate, equip, and dispose 

of up to five vehicles under certain scenarios. 

Language prohibiting USCIS from granting immigration benefits 

unless the results of background checks are completed prior to the 

granting of the benefit and the results do not preclude the granting 

of the benefit. 

Language limiting the use of A–76 competitions by USCIS. 

Language making immigration examination fee collections explicitly available for immigrant integration grants, not to exceed 

$10,000,000, in fiscal year 2018. 

Language authorizing FLETC to distribute funds for incurred 

training expenses. 

Language directing the FLETC Accreditation Board to lead the 

federal law enforcement training accreditation process to measure 

and assess federal law enforcement training programs, facilities, 

and instructors. 

Language establishing the ‘‘Federal Law Enforcement Training 

Centers—Procurement, Construction, and Improvements’’ appropriation, and allowing for the acceptance of transfers from government agencies into this appropriation. 

Language classifying FLETC instructor staff as inherently governmental for certain considerations. 

TITLE V—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Language limiting the availability of appropriations to one year 

unless otherwise expressly provided. 

Language that unexpended balances of prior year appropriations 

may be merged with new appropriation accounts and used for the 

same purpose, subject to reprogramming guidelines. 

Language limiting authority to reprogram funds within an appropriation above a specified threshold unless the Department provides notification to the Committees on Appropriations at least 15 

days in advance, and providing authority to transfer not more than 

5 percent between appropriations accounts, with a requirement for 

a 30-day advance notification. A detailed funding table identifying 

each congressional control level for reprogramming purposes is included at the end of this report. 

Language prohibiting funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available to the Department to make payment to the Working Capital Fund (WCF), except for activities and amounts allowed in the 

President’s fiscal year 2018 budget request. Funds provided to the 

WCF are available until expended. The Department can only 

charge components for direct usage of the WCF and these funds 

may be used only for the purposes consistent with the WCF uses 

of the contributing component. Any funds paid in advance or for reimbursement must reflect the full cost of each service. The Department shall submit a notification prior to adding a new activity to 

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tivities added to the fund, such notifications shall detail the source 

of funds by PPA. In addition, the Department shall submit quarterly WCF execution reports to the Committees that include activity-level detail. 

Language providing that not to exceed 50 percent of unobligated 

balances from prior year appropriations for each Operations and 

Support appropriation, the Coast Guard’s Operating Expenses appropriation, and amounts for salaries and expenses in the Coast 

Guard’s Reserve Training and Acquisition, Construction, and Improvements accounts, shall remain available through fiscal year 

2019, subject to section 503 reprogramming requirements. 

Language that deems intelligence activities to be specifically authorized during fiscal year 2018 until the enactment of an Act authorizing intelligence activities for fiscal year 2018. 

Language requiring notification to the Committees at least three 

days before DHS executes or announces grant allocations; grant 

awards; contract awards, including contracts covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation; other transaction agreements; letters 

of intent; a task or delivery order on multiple award contracts totaling $1,000,000 or more; a task or delivery order greater than 

$10,000,000 from multi-year funds; or sole-source grant awards. 

Notifications shall include a description of projects or activities to 

be funded and their location, including city, county, and state. 

Language prohibiting all agencies from purchasing, constructing, 

or leasing additional facilities for federal law enforcement training 

without advance notification to the Committees. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds for any construction, repair, alteration, or acquisition project for which a prospectus, if required under chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, has not 

been approved. 

Language that consolidates by reference prior-year statutory provisions related to a contracting officer’s technical representative 

training; sensitive security information; and the use of funds in 

conformance with section 303 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds in contravention of the 

Buy American Act. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds to amend the oath of allegiance required by section 337 of the Immigration and Nationality 

Act. 

Language that prohibits funding for any position designated as 

a Principal Federal Official during a Stafford Act declared disaster 

or emergency. 

Language prohibiting funds for planning, testing, piloting, or developing a national identification card. 

Language directing that any official required by this Act to report or certify to the Committees on Appropriations may not delegate such authority unless expressly authorized to do so in this 

Act. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds for the transfer or release 

of individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into or within the United States. 

Language prohibiting funds in this Act to be used for first-class 

travel. 

104 

Language prohibiting the use of funds to employ illegal workers 

as described in Section 274A(h)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

Language prohibiting funds appropriated or otherwise made 

available by this Act to pay for award or incentive fees for contractors with below satisfactory performance or performance that fails 

to meet the basic requirements of the contract. 

Language prohibiting the use of funds to enter into a federal contract unless the contract meets requirements of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 or chapter 137 of title 

10 U.S.C., and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, unless the contract is otherwise authorized by statute without regard to this section. 

Language providing $42,233,000 for financial systems modernization activities. 

Language requiring DHS computer systems to block electronic 

access to pornography, except for law enforcement purposes. 

Language regarding the transfer of firearms by federal law enforcement personnel. 

Language regarding funding restrictions and reporting requirements related to conferences occurring outside of the United States. 

Language prohibiting funds to reimburse any federal department 

or agency for its participation in a National Special Security Event. 

Language requiring a notification, including justification materials, prior to implementing any structural pay reform that affects 

more than 100 full-time positions or costs more than $5,000,000. 

Language directing the Department to post on a public website 

reports required by the Committees on Appropriations unless public posting compromises homeland or national security or contains 

proprietary information. 

Language authorizing minor procurement, construction, and improvements under Operations and Support appropriations. 

Language related to the Arms Trade Treaty. 

Language to authorize DHS to fund out of existing discretionary 

appropriations the expenses of primary and secondary schooling of 

eligible dependents in areas in territories where Department of Defense schools are unavailable and public schools available do not 

adequately meet education requirements. 

Language rescinding unobligated balances from specified programs. 

Language rescinding specified funds from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. 

Language rescinding unobligated balances from the FEMA DRF. 

Language allowing the Department to designate ports of entry. 

Language prohibiting ICE from paying for abortions except in 

certain circumstances. 

Language prohibiting ICE from requiring any person to perform 

an abortion. 

Language clarifying ICE’s obligation to provide escort services 

outside the detention facility. 

Language regarding the H–2A seasonal agriculture worker program. 

Language granting lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. 

to Charlie Gard and his family for the purposes of medical treatment. 

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Language changing the statute of limitations for the recovery of 

FEMA Public Assistance Grants. 

Language specifying the amount by which new budget authority 

in the bill is less than the fiscal year 2017 budget allocation. 

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations in the accompanying bill that are not authorized by law: 

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COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act requires the 

report accompanying a bill providing new budget authority to contain a statement comparing the levels in the bill to the suballocations submitted under section 302(b) of the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the applicable fiscal year. That information is provided in the table headed 

‘‘Comparison of Reported Bill to Section 302(b) Suballocation.’’ 

[In millions of dollars] 

302(b) allocation This bill 

Budget 

Authority Outlays Budget Authority Outlays 

General purpose discretionary ....................................................... 44,328 48,500 44,328 1 48,347 

Disaster designation 2 ........................................................... 6,793 340 6,793 340 

Mandatory ...................................................................................... 1,673 1,666 1,673 1,666 

1 Includes outlays from prior year authority. 

2 The bill includes amounts designated for disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 

Control Act of 1985. Such amounts are a permissable adjustment authorized by that Act as well as allowed for by the Congressional Budget 

Act of 1974. 

FIVE YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, the following 

table contains five-year projections associated with the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill: 

Millions 

Outlays: 

2018 .......................................................................................................... 1 31,266 

2019 .......................................................................................................... 8,588 

2020 .......................................................................................................... 5,777 

2021 .......................................................................................................... 1,970 

2022 .......................................................................................................... 4,442 

1 Excludes outlays from prior year authority. 

ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, the financial 

assistance to State and local governments is as follows: 

Millions 

Budget Authority ........................................................................................ 3,049 

Fiscal Year 2018 outlays resulting therefrom .......................................... 1 404 1 Excludes outlays from prior year authority. 

PROGRAM DUPLICATION

No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of 

the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the 

Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 

21 of Public Law 111–139, or a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DIRECTED RULE MAKING

Neither the bill nor report contain any provision that specifically 

directs the promulgation or completion of a rule. 

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DETAILED EXPLANATIONS IN REPORT

The following table contains detailed funding recommendations 

at the program, project, and activity (PPA) level. 

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MINORITY VIEWS 

The allocation for the fiscal year 2018 Homeland Security Appro- priations bill is $44,328,000,000, an increase of $1,920,000,000 

above the fiscal year 2017 bill. This 4.5 percent increase contrasts 

with the cuts sustained in other Non-Defense appropriations bills. 

Such a large relative increase for the Homeland bill underscores 

the need for the Appropriations Committee to ensure that taxpayer 

dollars are allocated wisely, based on careful prioritization, substantive justification, and a clear nexus to the security of the nation. Unfortunately, the major funding increases in the bill fail to 

meet those criteria. 

FUNDING PRIORITIES

On the positive side, the bill addresses several bipartisan and 

Democratic priorities, including maintaining the current funding 

levels for first responder and anti-terrorism grants; doubling the 

Non-profit Security Grant Program from $25,000,000 to 

$50,000,000; and maintaining funding for flood mapping and the 

Emergency Food and Shelter Program. It also provides a targeted 

increase for the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties for continued oversight of immigration enforcement and DHS partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies, and for other 

priority oversight areas. In addition, the bill continues the Cybersecurity Internship Program; increases funding above the request for 

new Coast Guard assets; provides additional funding for ICE investigations into child exploitation; and restores funding for Science 

and Technology Centers of Excellence. 

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

While there is much in this bill that Democrats can support, the 

new administration has significantly changed the dynamic on immigration enforcement. The unfortunate result is that we cannot in 

good conscience support this year’s bill in its current form. Alarmingly, the bill provides a $705,000,000 increase for immigration enforcement in the interior of the United States, including 

an average daily population in detention of 44,000 detention beds, 

an increase of 4,676 from the current year and 10,000 above fiscal 

year 2016. The increase would also support the hiring of 1,000 additional U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers 

and agents who would be focused primarily on interior enforcement. 

The Trump Administration has claimed that its more aggressive 

enforcement approach in the interior of the United States is critically important to the national security and public safety of the 

country. While there is certainly no disagreement we should be removing dangerous individuals, ICE is targeting the parents of unaccompanied children who cross the southern border to seek asyVerDate Sep 11 2014 09:59 Jul 22, 2017 Jkt 026331 PO 00000 Frm 00154 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6604 E:\HR\OC\HR239.XXX HR239
155 

lum. It is targeting people who have lived, worked, and paid taxes 

in this country for years, or even decades with no criminal infractions. 

The result so far has been a 157 percent increase in ICE’s interior arrests of non-criminals compared to last year. These arrests 

are not required for national security or public safety, and have 

tragic consequences for individuals, families, and communities all 

over this country. Many in law enforcement tell us people are 

afraid to report serious crimes, including acts of domestic violence, 

and they are less willing to come forward as witnesses to crimes. 

Teachers tell us that immigrant and U.S. Citizen children alike are 

afraid to go to school, or to just go out and play, for fear their parents will be gone when they return home. The trauma that is being 

inflicted on entire communities throughout our country cannot be 

overstated. 

Given that being in this country illegally is a civil violation, why 

would we choose to fund such excessive immigration enforcement 

over activities to combat real terrorist and criminal threats? Comprehensive immigration reform—combining strong enforcement 

with a path to legal status for many who are already living in the 

United States—is the only solution to this problem. For years, however, the majority in the House has blocked bipartisan efforts to fix 

it. 

We have a moral, as well as legal, responsibility when it comes 

to immigration enforcement. Just as other law enforcement agencies have discretion, ICE too can utilize discretion to enforce our 

immigration laws fairly and justly. Existing resources, used wisely, 

are sufficient for addressing the threat posed by criminal aliens 

who are truly dangerous 

The Committee majority rejected an amendment that would have 

cut the $705,000,000 increase proposed in the bill for ICE interior 

immigration enforcement, reallocating $543,000,000 to hiring an 

additional 2,310 CBP officers and $161,500,000 million for enhanced ICE investigations into human trafficking, child exploitation, intellectual property, financial, and narcotics violations, and 

national security investigations. By adopting this amendment, the 

Committee could have prioritized criminal investigations, border 

security, and the facilitation of trade and travel over civil immigration enforcement that is far more aggressive than necessary. 

BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE

Another area of great concern is the $1.6 billion in the bill for 

new border infrastructure. The fiscal year 2017 funding bill required the Secretary to submit a risk-based plan for improving security along the border, but we have yet to receive that plan. The 

Committee should not even consider such significant new investments without a comprehensive plan backed by clear justification 

that warrants the enormous cost. 

The truth is that the President’s malignant rhetoric on immigration has poisoned the waters on this issue, making it near difficult 

to reach practical consensus. We simply cannot support throwing 

scarce taxpayer dollars at one of the President’s misguided campaign promises. 

156 

UNMET FUNDING PRIORITIES

Instead of unjustified investments in border infrastructure and 

the expansion of overly aggressive immigration enforcement, we 

should be investing more of our limited resources in cyber security, 

human trafficking investigations, and Coast Guard vessels and aircraft, because currently our drug interdiction efforts intercept only 

a fraction of the drugs that are being trafficked in the Caribbean 

Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. We should be investing much more 

in new customs officers and research and technology, and should 

restore funding for TSA’s Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement 

Program and Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams. 

CYBERSECURITY

Unfortunately, the funding level for government-wide cybersecurity activities and acquisitions is underfunded in the bill by at least 

$28 million, a direct result of the subcommittee’s limited allocation 

for Defense function programs. To ensure that upgrades to federal 

cyber networks are deployed on time and that the National Protection and Programs Directorate has the capacity to respond to cyber 

threats, the subcommittee’s Defense function will need to match 

the funding request, at a minimum, before the bill is enacted into 

law. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

While the bill restores proposed funding cuts to University Cen- ters of Excellence, it adopts the proposed $87,000,000 cut from Research, Development, and Innovation at the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), along with the proposed $42,000,000 cut 

to Laboratory Facilities. Fortunately, the manager’s amendment 

adopted by the Committee includes report language directing the 

Department to provide better justification for the proposed elimination of three established S&T laboratories, and directs S&T to 

refrain from taking steps to close the labs pending the enactment 

of final fiscal year 2018 appropriations legislation. 

COAST GUARD ICEBREAKERS

An amendment offered during Committee consideration of the 

bill would have redirected $2,300,000,000 from border infrastructure and ICE immigration enforcement to the Coast Guard’s polar 

icebreaker acquisition program. The proposed new border infrastructure has not been justified and the bill’s recommended increases for ICE hiring and detention beds do not have a security 

focus. In contrast, the need for heavy icebreakers is very well documented and focused on national security. A draft report from the 

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released just last week, 

warned that, 

‘‘The United States has insufficient assets to protect its 

interests, implement U.S. policy, execute its laws, and 

meet its obligations in the Arctic and Antarctic because it 

lacks adequate icebreaking capability.’’ 

This is because the Coast Guard currently has only one functioning heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star, which was built in 1976 

157 

and is well past its 30-year expected operational life. It is no longer 

reliable, and the cost to maintain it will continue to rise. At this 

point, its primary mission is to clear a path through the ice to our 

research facilities in Antarctica, which means that the only 

icebreaking asset we have in the Arctic is the Healy, the Coast 

Guard’s only medium class icebreaker. The Polar Star is expected 

to continue functioning for just three to seven years—leaving the 

United States with no heavy icebreaking capability. 

Given that Russia has 41 icebreakers focused on the Arctic that 

are active or under construction, four of which are heavy icebreakers, we are falling farther and farther behind. This puts the 

United States at a tremendous disadvantage since we are unable 

to operate in parts of the Arctic Ocean for months at a time. The 

National Academy report goes on to recommend that, 

‘‘The United States Congress should fund the construction of four polar icebreakers of common design that would 

be owned and operated by the United States Coast Guard.’’ 

The fiscal year 2017 Defense funding bill included $150,000,000 

as a down payment on what is expected to be nearly a 

$1,000,000,000 price tag for the first ship. However the National 

Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2018 the House recently 

passed includes a provision prohibiting the Pentagon from using 

any fiscal year 2018 funds to acquire an icebreaker for the Coast 

Guard; an amendment to strike that provision failed on a recorded 

vote. 

The solution is to fund the remaining cost of acquiring heavy icebreakers directly through the Coast Guard budget. While the Coast 

Guard plans to sign an acquisition contract in fiscal year 2019, it 

will release a Request for Proposals in fiscal year 2018. Having the 

funds in hand during the solicitation process would help the Coast 

Guard get a better deal on the cost of the needed icebreakers. 

Combined with the $150,000,000 appropriated in fiscal year 

2017, this amendment would have made available a total of 

$2,450,000,000, approximately enough to cover the cost of three 

heavy icebreakers. According to the NAS report, acquiring three 

ships at one time would likely save the government nearly $160 

million per vessel. With this one amendment, the Committee could 

have put the United States on a path to securing our sovereign interests in the Arctic region. Instead, the amendment was defeated 

on a party-line vote. 

DHS HEADQUARTERS CONSOLIDATION

Consistent with the request, the bill fails to provide funding for 

the DHS headquarters consolidation project under construction on 

the St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast Washington, DC. In 2015, 

the Department revised its plan for St. Elizabeths to consolidate 

the footprint, reduce costs, and accelerate the construction schedule. We have passed the point of no return on this project. In fact, 

we are now at the phase that would lead to the most savings by 

allowing components to move from expensive, leased spaces to the 

new consolidated headquarters campus. On both fiscal grounds and 

to improve the cohesiveness of DHS operations, we must continue 

to make progress on the headquarters project. 

158 

AVAILABILITY OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN

Over strong Democratic objections, the Committee once again 

adopted an unnecessary amendment regarding the availability of 

reproductive health services for women detained by ICE. These restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion procedures are 

already applicable to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security and are specifically formalized in Part 4.4 of ICE’s 2011 Performance Based National Detention Standards. 

While many of us believe that those restrictions are excessive 

and unnecessary, we fail to see the point of interjecting this divisive issue into a Homeland Security funding bill. 

Before a similar amendment was offered five years ago, this bill 

had never touched on the topic of abortion because it is not relevant to the Department of Homeland Security and falls far outside 

the lines of jurisdiction of the Subcommittee. We will continue to 

work to remove the amendment’s unnecessary provisions from the 

bill. 

DREAMERS

We were highly disappointed by the failure of the Committee to 

adopt an amendment to give the Department the authority to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), 

which failed on a party-line vote. Although we are confident that 

the Secretary implicitly has such authority today, the amendment 

would have made it explicit. 

DACA provides an official way for young people who were 

brought to this country as children—also known as Dreamers—to 

continue living here, in the only home they know or remember. It 

allows them to continue their studies and work legally in the economy. To be eligible, they must have clean records verified by background checks. 

The President said he will be the one to decide if DACA continues, but the threat of court challenges by some states has called 

into question whether that will ultimately be the case. This amendment would simply make clear that the President has the authority 

to continue the program if he chooses to do so. 

When DACA participants first signed up for the program, it was 

an opportunity to come out of the shadows, to put anxieties of the 

past behind them and focus on the future. It would be the very definition of cruelty to take that away from them now. Yet not a single member of the majority voted for this simple, straightforward 

amendment. 

Much of the stated opposition to the amendment during Committee debate was that it intruded into the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee. Aside from the fact that the Committee readily 

adopted other authorizing provisions in the manager’s amendment 

and as individual amendments, a follow-up amendment on DACA 

by Mr. Aguilar, offered in the form of a funding limitation and well 

within the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee, also failed 

to garner a majority of the votes. 

The truth is that the Committee regularly agrees to include authorizing provisions that have bipartisan support in Appropriations 

bills when members find the justification for them compelling. We 

159 

can think of nothing more compelling than helping these Dreamers 

who find themselves in such dire circumstances through no fault 

of their own 

CONCLUSION

In closing, we want to extend our appreciation for the efforts of 

the subcommittee Chairman and his staff to work with the minority throughout the development of this bill. Consistent with prior 

years, the Chairman has carried out his responsibilities honorably, 

fairly, and collaboratively. Even when we must disagree, we do it 

with respect for one another and respect for the institution in 

which we are honored to serve. 

NITA M. LOWEY. 

LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD. 

Æ