DHS budget2015 DHS budget is border patrol “wish list”: critics
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved $39.2 billion 2015 budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Critics were quick to point out that many items in the budget were not on the original budget request, but were since added after showing up originally on a wish list of hardware that could improve and extend the surveillance capabilities of DHS.
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the 2015 fiscal budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The ink was not yet dry on the budget proposal before critics began to point out what they consider unnecessary and wasteful items in it.
U.S. News and World Reportreports that a committee press release says the $39.2 billion the committee had approved will “help strengthen America’s homeland security efforts, including securing our borders, enforcing our laws, protecting against cyber threats, bolstering counternarcotic efforts, responding to natural disasters, and fighting terrorism.”
Ryan Alexander, also the president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, notes that there are significant increases in the budget, including an additional $51 million in “Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology,” as well as $28 million toward “development,” and $23 million allocated for regular operation and maintenance. More specifically, there is $7.5 million for 22 mobile surveillance systems, $10 million for updates to existing surveillance systems, and $10 million for unattended ground sensors.
It is also noted that many of these items were not on the original budget request, but were since added after showing up originally on a wish list of hardware that could improve and extend the surveillance capabilities of DHS.
Alexander cites the continual hunger of government contractors for work that has likely led to the inclusion of many items in the changing and ever-expanding budget. Citing the Secure Border Initiative-Network (SBInet) Program, which was cancelled in the beginning of 2011, Alexander notes that arguments for funding for the failed program’s technologies continued well after the operation was shut down.
Noting the downward trend of U.S. expenditure on warfare, Alexander argues that the problem with the new DHS budget is this: “Contractors are hungry for work, and they and Congress will point to any authority, no matter how obsolete, in order to keep the dollars flowing,” she said.
