The US House approved $30.8 billion for Homeland Security spending. The House vote of 424 to 1 sends the bill to the Senate.
The legislation was a $1.3 billion boost over what President George W. Bush requested.
The bill does not, however include Bush’s proposal to increase airline security fees by $1.7 billion, sparing airlines costs that they say would widen losses.
Lawmakers increased funds for border protection and immigration enforcement by $1.9 billion. That money will go in part to hiring 1,000 border patrol agents and 350 immigration enforcement officers.
Democrats criticized the bill for not providing enough money to emergency responders, cargo screening or border security.
Report by David Wilkening
