Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano went before a House panel to talk about President Obama’s 2012 budget request for her department. She discussed the needs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and how the proposed budget will allow the department to continue essential programs to protect U.S. borders.
After the President unveiled the budget proposal for the fiscal year 2012, the administration expressed the need for protecting the U.S. as its “highest priority.” As a result, DHS may see up to a 3% increase from the 2011 budget.
Napolitano released the department’s budget request for FY2012 last month. The priorities of the $57 billion budget submission include the ongoing prevention of terrorism and securing U.S. air, land and sea borders.
Napolitano fielded multiple questions regarding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau (ICE) and its efforts to remove illegal immigrants and defend our borders. The Homeland Security Department also includes the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration among several other agencies.