Senator Murray Secures Millions to Stop the Flow of Fentanyl, Support the Coast Guard, and More in Draft Homeland Security Appropriations Bill 

Senator Murray: “Washington state’s economy depends on our ability to ensure goods and people can move through our ports and borders in an orderly and timely way—and our national security depends on our ability to do this while stopping threats like drug trafficking and fentanyl.”

ICYMI: Chair Murray’s Opening Remarks at Full Committee Markup

ICYMI: Senate Appropriations Committee Overwhelmingly Approves Homeland Security Bill in 24-4 Vote

Washington, D.C — On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee, led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Committee, voted to advance the Homeland Security funding bill for Fiscal Year 2024 that Senator Murray led the committee in drafting. The Committee voted overwhelmingly, 24-4, to advance the legislation, where it now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Notably, the legislation includes over $824 million in new funding to stop the flow of fentanyl at its source, at our border, and within our country, and to strengthen efforts abroad to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations trafficking in narcotics, firearms, and humans. It also provides critical investments to support United States Coast Guard search and rescue missions, drug interdiction efforts, and national security; and support U.S. businesses and grow our nation’s economy by addressing work authorization backlogs and increasing capacity at ports of entry to improve the flow of trade and travel. 

“Washington state’s economy depends on our ability to ensure goods and people can move through our ports and borders in an orderly and timely way—and our national security depends on our ability to do this while stopping threats like drug trafficking and fentanyl,” said Senator Murray. “This bill provides critical new funding to stop the flow of fentanyl at its source and at our borders to protect communities in Washington state and across our country, and it helps to continue our long tradition of welcoming people from across the globe who are seeking safety from persecution and opportunities for a better life.”

The legislation also includes important funding and report language for national programs that are particularly important to Washington state, including:

• $130 million for improvements at the Seattle Coast Guard Base, a $25 million increase over last year’s funding level, to accommodate three Polar Security Cutters that will be stationed at the Seattle Base to increase the nation’s Polar capabilities. 
• $579 million for Offshore Patrol Cutters at the Seattle Coast Guard Base, a $36 million increase over last year’s funding level, to replace outdated Medium Endurance Cutters such as those stationed at the Seattle Base.
• $1 million for the Puget Sound Cetacean Desk Pilot Program, a joint program between the Coast Guard and NOAA to track and proactively alert vessel operations to whale presence in the Sound, as well as regulations and voluntary guidelines in place to protect the endangered Southern Resident orcas. This funding complements $200,000 included for NOAA in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies funding bill the Committee approved earlier this month.
• $25 million for the Coast Guard Child Care Subsidy Program to provide Coast Guard families more options for child care that work for their unique needs.
• More than $824 million for the detection and seizure of fentanyl and other narcotics along the Southwest border and for Homeland Security Investigations to stop fentanyl and other dangerous synthetic narcotics from reaching the United States.
• $752 million for the Shelter and Services Program for Customs and Border Protection to prevent overcrowding of short-term holding facilities and partner with non-governmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance for asylum seekers and families.
•  $143 million to reduce the employment authorization backlog at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and support asylum processing.
• Language directing USCIS to expand efforts to reduce barriers to accessing agency services, especially in rural areas.
• Language directing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to improve internal detention facility inspections, building on Senator Murray’s existing oversight efforts at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. 
• Language directing the National Maritime Center to review their system for approving Merchant Mariner Credentials to help streamline the hiring process and address the crew shortage at Washington State Ferries.

Senator Murray also secured $272,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the Port of Longview to purchase and install two portable generators to ensure that the Port can continue to operate temporarily in case of a disaster.

More information on the bill is available HERE.

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