Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff applauded increased funding and changes to the Department of Homeland Security's organization during a ceremony at the White House where President George W. Bush signed the FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.

In addition to certain organizational adjustments, the DHS FY 2006 appropriations provides increased funding for 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, greater explosive detection technology across transportation networks, and an integrated Preparedness Directorate to enhance coordination and deployment of preparedness assets and training.

The DHS FY 2006 budget includes more than $30.8 billion in net discretionary spending — a 4.7% increase over FY 2005. In total, with mandatory and fee-based programs, the DHS budget for FY 2006 is $40.6 billion.

The FY 2006 Appropriations Act provides $4 billion for a Preparedness Directorate to enhance coordination and deployment of preparedness assets and facilitate grants and oversee nationwide preparedness efforts supporting first responder training, citizen awareness, public health and critical planning functions to build capacity, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen cyber systems.

Grant funding provided through this directorate includes $1.15 billion for high-density urban areas, $550 million for basic formula grants, $400 million for law enforcement terrorism prevention grants, $655 million for firefighter assistance grants and $185 million for emergency management performance grants.

The Science and Technology Directorate is funded at $1.5 billion. The bill also provides $23 million for the National Bio and Agrodefense Facility and consolidates research and development funds within the directorate.

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is funded at $318 million to better secure the nation from radiological and nuclear threats.

Second-stage review

Earlier this year, Chertoff outlined a new six-point agenda designed to better equip DHS employees with the right tools to more effectively accomplish their mission and to ensure that the department is aligned in the best possible way to address potential threats — both present and future — that face the nation. The FY 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Act adopts many of the organization changes proposed in the second-stage review process, including:

• Creating an Office of Intelligence and Analysis to be led by a chief intelligence officer by separating out and elevating the Information Analysis component of IAIP.
• Integrating the department's existing preparedness efforts, including planning, training, exercising and funding, into a single Preparedness Directorate.
• Establishing an Operations Office, which will include the Homeland Security Operations Center.
• Establishing the Office of Policy and the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.