Statement by Secretary Mayorkas on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

The Biden-Harris Administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2024, which provides $60.4 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and an additional $20.1 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to address major disasters.

“The threats facing the homeland are more diverse and complex than they were twenty years ago, when the Department of Homeland Security was first created. The President’s Budget seeks to protect the security of the American people amidst a very dynamic threat environment,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “This budget invests in programs that protect us against the threat of terrorism here and from abroad, strengthen the security of our borders, ensure the swift response to and recovery from natural disasters, and so much more. It equips our Department to address the threats of today and prepare for the threats of tomorrow.”

At the Department of Homeland Security, the Budget will:

Invest in Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Protection

The President’s Budget supports the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) mission to protect our cyberspace and serve as the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience. Building upon investments made in FY 2023, an additional $149 million results in a total of $3.1 billion dedicated to programs reinforcing cybersecurity and infrastructure security. Of note, $98 million is provided to implement the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) and $425 million for the new Cyber Analytics Data System which is a robust and scalable analytic environment capable of providing advanced analytic capabilities to CISA’s cyber operators.

Invest in Climate and Natural Disaster Resilience

The Budget provides for the allocation of resources to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to strengthen the ability to prepare for and respond to disasters of various magnitudes. The Budget includes $4.0 billion for FEMA climate resilience programs, over a $150 million increase from the FY 2023 enacted budget. As part of the Administration’s efforts to address climate change, the Department will invest in programs to reduce pollution and protect public health. The DHS Budget includes $123 million to support integrated investments into Zero-Emission Vehicles and charging infrastructure. 

Modernize Coast Guard Operational Capability and Presence in the Arctic Region 

As a maritime nation, the United States depends on a strong and agile Coast Guard to enhance the nation’s maritime safety, security, and economic prosperity. The President’s Budget provides $12.1 billion in net discretionary funding to sustain readiness, resilience, and capability while building the Coast Guard of the future. The Budget continues efforts for the Coast Guard’s highest acquisition priorities, and includes $579 million for the Offshore Patrol Cutter program and $55 million to advance the Great Lakes Icebreaker acquisition – an asset ensuring America’s continued economic prosperity on our domestic waterways. The Budget also includes $170 million for a third new Polar Security Cutter and $150 million to purchase a commercial polar icebreaker for Coast Guard operations. These assets will also increase access to the Arctic region and strengthen the United States’ presence in polar waters, a critical national security priority. 

Modernize Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pay and Workforce Policies

The FY 2024 President’s Budget honors previous promises to compensate the TSA workforce at rates comparable to other Federal workers. Enhancements to TSA pay support the President’s and Secretary Mayorkas’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce. The Budget includes $1.4 billion to ensure TSA employees are paid at a level that is comparable to counterparts on the General Schedule pay scale.

Help Secure the Border and Build a Safe, Orderly, and Humane Immigration System

The President’s Budget provides the resources to continue securing our border and support a fair, orderly, and humane immigration system. The Budget provides $865 million for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to process increasing asylum caseloads, address the backlog of applications for immigration benefits, support the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, and improve refugee processing. It invests $535 million in U.S. Customs and Border Protection for border technology, to include $305 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection Systems, with a primary focus on fentanyl detection at ports of entry. It also provides $113M to hire additional personnel, for an increase of 350 Border Patrol Agents and 150 Customs and Border Protection Officers, as well as an additional 460 processing assistants at CBP and ICE and 39 positions to strengthen the Transportation and Removal Program. The Budget also provides $40 million to combat human smuggling as well as illicit drug operations such as the production and distribution of fentanyl through the Repository for Analytics in a Virtualized Environment (RAVEN), to help special investigative units disrupt and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and their networks.

Support 2024 Presidential Campaign Security

The Budget provides a total of $3.0 billion in net discretionary funding to support the protection and investigation missions of the United States Secret Service. To prepare for the upcoming 2024 Presidential Campaign, the budget includes $191 million to ensure that the 2024 Presidential Campaign is adequately resourced for the protection of major candidates, nominees, their spouses, and nominating conventions.

Less than two years after 9/11, 22 agencies and 180,000 public servants came together with a mission to safeguard the American people and our way of life. 20 years later, the Department of Homeland Security has grown in size, capability, and complexity. As new threats emerge with increasing speed, our work to reinforce our homeland security has never been more important to our national security.

For more information on the President’s FY 2024 Budget, please visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/.

Originally published by the Department of Homeland Security. Click HERE for the source. 

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