A Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would give DHS’s National Protection and Programs Directorate $1.8 billion “to combat increasingly dangerous and numerous cyber attacks” today cleared the House Appropriations Committee by a vote of 30-22.

Opponents of the 2018 spending bill said it would shortchange security threats such as cyber while dramatically increasing spending on immigration enforcement and physical barriers between the U.S. and Mexico to help President Trump make good on campaign promises.

The $1.8 billion for NPPD would be roughly the same amount the directorate was authorized to spend on cybersecurity programs in FY 2017.  NPPD’s allotment includes $1.37 billion “to help secure civilian (dot-gov) networks, detect and prevent cyber attacks and foreign espionage, and enhance and modernize emergency communications,” the committee said.

The legislation also includes $2.7 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency grant programs, including $467 million for the State Homeland Security Grant Program; $630 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative, including an increase of $25 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program; and $690 million for firefighter assistance grants.

Overall, the bill would provide $44.3 billion in discretionary funding for DHS, an increase of $1.9 billion above the FY 2017 enacted level, according to the committee. — Tom Leithauser, tom.leithauser@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily