Legislative Activity

DHS FY 2016 Appropriations Continues Debate Over Immigration and U.S. Secret Service Challenges

FY 2016 funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could restart debate on Capitol Hill regarding the President’s executive actions on immigration, the very same fight that almost derailed FY 2015 funding for the agency earlier this year. While it remains to be seen whether Republicans will attempt once again to block implementation of these policies, some may at least try to use the spending measure to express their disapproval of the President’s action.

Last month, 15 Republicans wrote to House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) and Ranking Member Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) calling for the spending bill to contain some sort of bar against the President’s executive actions on immigration, which were originally announced in November 2014 and are currently being challenged in federal court. However, it remains to be seen whether House leadership has any interest in fighting that fight all over again.

Congress’ appropriations for DHS could also provide lawmakers with the chance to address recent reports of misconduct and security gaps by the U.S. Secret Service, after a series of events in late 2014 led to resignation of the agency’s then-Director, Julia Pierson.

 This Week’s Hearings:

•  Tuesday, April 28: The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security” with Secretary Jeh Johnson.

• Tuesday, April 28: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining the Proper Role of Judicial Review in the Federal Regulatory Process.”

• Tuesday, April 28: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “Securing the Border: Biometric Entry and Exit at our Ports of Entry.”

• Wednesday, April 29: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the Administration’s FY 2016 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security with Secretary Jeh Johnson.

• Wednesday, April 29: The House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing titled “Birthright Citizenship: Is It the Right Policy for America?”

• Wednesday, April 29: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security will hold a hearing on FY 2016 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security with Secretary Jeh Johnson.

• Wednesday, April 29: The House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing titled “Terrorism in Africa: The Imminent Threat to the United States.”

• Thursday, April 30: The House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security will hold a hearing titled “A Review of Access Control Measures at Our Nation’s Airports.”

• Thursday, April 30: The House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing titled “Allegations of Special Access and Political Influence at the Department of Homeland Security.”

Executive Branch Activity

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Releases Six Month Border Update

On Friday, April 24, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson released a status report on his agency’s border security efforts for the first six months of FY 2015. According to the update, total apprehensions along the southwest border, one indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally, declined 28 percent as compared to the same period in FY 2014 and are at their lowest point in the last four fiscal years. Secretary Johnson noted that apprehensions of unaccompanied children are down significantly as well, 45 percent lower than same point in FY 2014, when these numbers had increased dramatically and sparked significant concern among legislators.

Secretary Johnson’s report also highlights recent investments in detection assets, portable imaging capabilities, and other surveillance systems to support Border Patrol’s situational awareness, as well as the Administration’s collaboration with international partners. He emphasized the importance of the President’s FY 2016 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security in the coming years, including $373.5 million to support border infrastructure and technology.