Congress moves to keep port security grant program intact
Congressional leaders have reached a compromise on the Department of Homeland Security’s fiscal 2006 budget that includes $175 million for port security grants.
The deal rejects the Bush administration’s proposal to eliminate port security grants and lump them into a single grant program for all modes of transportation. Ports, transit, rail and other infrastructure would each have dedicated grant programs.
The conference committee’s agreement must still be ratified by the House and Senate. The $175 million level for port security grants represents a split between the Senate appropriation of $200 million and the House’s recommendation of $150 million.
The American Association of Port Authorities, which is seeking $400 million per year for port security grants, welcomed the arrangement.