Bill Overview
Title: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023
Description: This bill provides FY2023 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, including the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management; the Management Directorate; Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness; and the Office of the Inspector General. In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service. The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, the Science and Technology Directorate, and the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.
Sponsors: Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40]
Target Audience
Population: individuals residing in or entering the United States
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill impacts DHS as a whole, including multiple sub-agencies focused on national security, border protection, immigration, cybersecurity, and disaster response.
- Employees of DHS and the involved sub-agencies directly benefit due to appropriations paying for salaries, equipment, and facilities.
- U.S. citizens and residents will be impacted by immigration enforcement, border security, and transportation security operations.
- Businesses involved in security technology, infrastructure protection, and emergency preparedness might see increased demand due to appropriations in DHS programs.
- Communities can be indirectly affected if the bill enhances border or airport security, potentially leading to longer processing times or increased safety.
- Immigrant populations may be significantly affected by the actions of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, especially regarding enforcement policies.
- Coastal communities may benefit due to increased funding for the U.S. Coast Guard and its missions, which include rescue operations and drug interdiction.
Reasoning
- The target population consists of all U.S. residents, as the policy impacts multiple aspects of national security, disaster response, and immigration.
- Employees of the DHS and related agencies will experience direct benefits through job security and potential improvements in working conditions.
- Migrants and immigrant communities may perceive enforcement changes, impacting wellbeing depending on policy specifics.
- Communities in coastal or disaster-prone areas may feel more secure from improved Coast Guard presence and FEMA resources.
- Businesses in cybersecurity and infrastructure protection may see economic growth with increased contracts or engagement with DHS.
Simulated Interviews
Border Patrol Agent (San Diego, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The funding boost will help improve our resources and training, making our jobs more effective and safer.
- I'm concerned about how increased budget for enforcement might affect community relations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cybersecurity Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy means more projects and longer contracts for firms in my industry.
- The allocations show a strong commitment to cybersecurity, which is great for national security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
FEMA Coordinator (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional funding is crucial for improving our disaster response capabilities.
- I'm relieved that FEMA is being recognized for its importance in managing emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Dockworker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Coast Guard's newer equipment and training might improve port security and transparency.
- Increased funding worries me as it might slow processes down due to heightened inspections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The DHS funding means more investment in travel security applications, which could lead to job growth.
- I'm skeptical about the impact long-term, but short-term contracts are definitely increasing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Community Organizer (El Paso, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased enforcement budgets make communities uneasy and could lead to fear among immigrants.
- I hope resources also go towards improving processes, not just enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased appropriations give DHS more scope to improve security, yet enforcement might exacerbate existing immigration tensions.
- There's potential for better infrastructure if funds are used efficiently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired School Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With stronger FEMA funding, I feel more secure about disaster management in our area.
- I hope this helps our community be more resilient against hurricanes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
International Student (New York, NY)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned that more enforcement might make the visa process more cumbersome.
- Hopes funding might streamline visa services and reduce bureaucracy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Start-up Founder (San Jose, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy favors tech advancement, which is good for startups focusing on security innovations.
- There are opportunities for new contracts and partnerships with DHS.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $52000000000 (Low: $50000000000, High: $54000000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Funding levels must be sufficient to cover personnel, operations, and technology upgrades across diverse DHS departments.
- Long-term benefits include improved national security and disaster resilience but must be weighed against short-term budget constraints.
- Anticipated increases in cybersecurity and disaster readiness can reduce vulnerability to both man-made and natural risks.