By Ron Thaniel
June 23, 2003

House Appropriators on Tuesday, June 17 approved $5.172 billion, $360 million above the President's request, for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) while rejecting efforts by Ranking Member David R. Obey (WS) that would have added more than $1 billion to upgrade security at ports, airports and borders.

Included in the mark is $1.67 billion for passenger screening as well as $1.28 billion for baggage screening efforts, including $235 million for the in line installation of explosive detection systems and $100 million for procurement of additional systems. The Committee adopted an amendment offered by Representative Martin Olav Sabo (MN) that would hold funding for a deployment of a controversial passenger'screening program, Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening Systems (CAPPS II), being created by the TSA until the General Accounting Office (GAO) can investigate the system.

Congressman Sabo's amendment would allow simulation tests for CAPPS II, but would stop funding for deployment to U.S. airports until after the GAO issues its report. CAPPS II is a computer system that will perform background checks by combing government and commercial databases to assess the risk airline travelers pose.

The Committee also approved $50 million for air cargo security as well as $60 million to study the feasibility of equipping U.S. passenger jets with anti-missile shields. This funding is based on concerns raised in the last year that terrorists could fire shoulder-launched missiles at commercial airplanes.

The legislation also would provide $22 million for highway and trucking security, $10 million for intercity bus security and $10 million for transit security and training.

Regarding port security, the mark would also provide $100 million for TSA port security grants, bringing the total to $488 million since September 11th. However, the Coast Guard has estimated that $1 billion is needed to secure the nation's ports.