Aderholt Supports Fiscal Year 2012 Conference Report

Statement

Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the House Committee on Appropriations, today released the following statement in support of the fiscal year (FY) 2012 Conference Report:

"This Appropriations report was forged out of a very open and transparent debate," said Aderholt. "I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to forge a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that reduces discretionary spending by nearly $94 billion since fiscal year 2010, prevents a potential government shutdown, supports critical domestic programs, reins in government overreach, and puts our nation on a fiscally responsible path, creating a better environment for economic growth and private sector job creation."

"Homeland security and fiscal discipline are both clear national priorities. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I am pleased to say this report includes critical funding for the Department of Homeland Security, while recognizing that more government and more spending does not necessarily equal more security. It cuts discretionary funding for the Department by $2 billion since fiscal year 2011, prioritizes taxpayers' limited dollars toward vital security programs, includes meaningful, hard-hitting oversight and provides $8.1 billion for disaster relief across the nation."

"Within this Appropriations report funding priority is given to frontline operations, including supporting the highest-ever staffing levels for Border Patrol agents, CBP officers and ICE agents. It also funds and provides statutory direction to ICE to maintain a daily detention bed capacity of 34,000 beds, the highest ever in history, to strengthen immigration enforcement and increase removals."

"This agreement includes a total of $8.1 billion for disaster recovery efforts and fully funds FEMA's disaster relief requirements for FY12. This will ensure devastated areas like Joplin, Missouri, numerous flooded communities along the Mississippi River and East Coast, and tornado-ravaged towns in my home state of Alabama will get the full assistance they need to rebuild and get back on their feet," concluded Aderholt.

Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee's Commerce, Justice and Science; and Agriculture Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.

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