Homeland Security

DATE=9-24-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS HOMELAND SECURITY (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-307871

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The House and Senate Wednesday gave final approval to a spending bill for the new Department of Homeland Security. The measure now goes to President Bush for his signature. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: It is the first of 13 appropriations bills that Congress must pass for the next budget year that begins October first.

It is also the first spending measure for the Homeland Security Department, which opened earlier this year, combining 22 federal agencies. The department was created after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001.

The spending measure is about one billion dollars more than Mr. Bush requested, but Democrats say it still falls short in funding port security and border protection.

Senator Robert Byrd is the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee:

/// BYRD ACTUALITY ///

I find it more than ironic that the Bush administration would oppose homeland security protections for American citizens but ask Congress to appropriate dollars to Iraq for security efforts there.

/// END ACT ///

The measure includes, among other things, money to enhance cargo security and to begin development of an anti-missile device for commercial aircraft.

The bill delays deployment of the government's airline passenger profiling system for five months while Congress determines whether it upholds privacy rights. The program would scan government records and private-sector databases to confirm passengers' identities. (Signed)

Neb/dat/PT