The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted 33 – 26 to advance its homeland security spending bill for fiscal year (FY) 2025, slashing President Biden’s budget requests to fund the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) science and technology efforts, and to fund DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) component.
The spending bill carves out $2.9 billion for CISA, a decrease of $78.2 million from the Biden Administration’s initial proposal. Specifically, the bill designates $833.8 million for CISA’s cyber operations and $860.9 million to enhance and maintain cybersecurity defense technology and services. Moreover, the cybersecurity agency is mandated to implement “calculated reductions to redundant, unauthorized, or duplicative programs,” the bill reads.
The bill also allocates $744.6 million for science and technology initiatives across DHS, a $91.5 million reduction from the administration’s budget request. Of this sum, $10 million is for critical repairs and replacements at DHS Science and Technology laboratories.
During the June 12 markup session, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., chair of the House Appropriations Committee, lauded the bill’s focus on adapting to evolving threats and bolstering frontline defenses.
“As threats continue to evolve, it is necessary to target vulnerabilities, implement the most effective safeguards, and support our people on the frontline. The bill before us does just that. From land and sea to air and cyber, we are investing in resources to secure the nation,” Rep. Cole said.
However, despite Republican assertions that the proposed funding is sufficient, Democratic counterparts disagree and oppose the bill. Democratic lawmakers voted as a bloc in opposition to the spending bill.
In a release, Democratic lawmakers claimed that the spending bill “weakens our national security through inadequate cybersecurity and infrastructure security investments, exposing the U.S. to increased cyberattacks and foreign adversary influence.”
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, echoed these concerns, labeling the bill as weakening “national security with inadequate cyber and infrastructure security investments.”
The bill now advances to the House floor for consideration, where it’s expected to face continued resistance from Democratic lawmakers.
