US Senate to Reduce Obama's $3.7 Billion Immigration, Border Security Request, Funding to Run Out by September
U.S. Senate Democrats are set to propose emergency funding to tackle the immigration crisis at the country's southern border. The proposed funding, however, is $1 billion less than President Barack Obama's original request of $3.7 billion.
According to Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., is preparing the proposed funding, which will range between $2.5 billion and $2.7 billion.
"The total amount of the president's request will be needed," said Sen. Mikulski. "However, based on a review of what is needed in calendar year 2014 to meet needs at the border, the bill reduces the president's request by $1 billion."
"The United States has an obligation to help resolve these crises, but is running out of money. The costs are real and urgent. We don't save money by refusing to act or through delay," Mikulski said in a statement.
The Baltimore Sun acknowledged the $1 billion funding reduction could help garner support from Senate Republicans.
The proposed funding by Senate Democrats will be for the duration of this year. Of the $2.7 billion, approximately $1.2 billion will be given to the Department of Health and Human Services, while $1.1 billion is for agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. The State Department is projected to receive $300 million of the emergency funding, and $124 million goes to the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told members of Congress that funding to confront the immigration crisis is running out. Johnson stated the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would have insufficient funds by mid-August, while the Customs and Border Protection would be out of financial support by mid-September.
"The recent rise in illegal migration requires a sustained, aggressive campaign by our government," he said. "Doing nothing in Congress is not an option."
Johnson also revealed the rate of sending undocumented immigrant adults back to their home countries have improved. Johnson noted the average wait time to send an undocumented adult back home was 33 days, but it is now four days. The rate of undocumented children illegally entering the border has also decline, according to the Homeland Security secretary, from 355 unaccompanied minors per day to 150 per day.
"We're not declaring victory," Johnson said. "This could be seasonal, but the numbers are dropping."
Johnson did not specify if his department could manage with less money than expected.
The emergency funding bill also includes $225 million for Israel's anti-missile program known as Iron Dome and approximately $600 million to combat wildfires in the western U.S.