DHS tech budget on a roll

It looks like the Department of Homeland Security is getting the money it needs--nearly $43 billion for FY 2010--to keep technology up-to-date and an eye on U.S. security. The budget was approved by the House Appropriations Committee, but still awaits final passage in Congress.

House appropriators applauded DHS for not seeking other expensive funding, including an electronic system to verify when foreigners leave the U.S., and advanced cargo scanning technology.

The bill gave DHS money for other new tools, including:

> $800 million to buy and install new airport bagging screening machines.

> $112 million for E-Verify.

> $26 million to screen vehicles heading across the U.S. border to Mexico, of which $10 million will be used to buy and install license plate readers at border checkpoints.

DHS also lost out on some requests, according to a report by nextgov.com. The committee cut $15 million from the department's request for BioWatch, a program to track biogens, and ordered BioWatch activities transferred from the Office of Health Affairs to the department's Science and Technology division.

"The committee is losing patience with the development of next generation systems and must take action to ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are spent judiciously," the committee report stated. "The committee expects to receive the long overdue expenditure plan for the base BioWatch program immediately."

For more on DHS wins and losses in the budget process:
- check out this nextgov.com article