Alexander: Senate Committee Approves Bill to Help Secure Border, Stop Illegal Opioids from Entering the U.S.

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2018 — United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said the bill approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee will take another step in the fight against the opioids crisis by helping stop illicit opioids, including heroin and fentanyl from entering the United States.

Alexander said, “The Homeland Security Appropriations bill provides the funding and resources needed to help stop illicit opioids, including heroin and fentanyl from entering the United States – a crucial step in fighting the opioid crisis. The bill also includes over $14 billion for Customs and Border Protection to hire new law enforcement personnel and secure our southern border. The committee approved two other bills that include funding for important health programs and small businesses.”

The Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill provides:

• $14.3 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This will be used to hire 750 new law enforcement personnel.
• Increased resources to combat trafficking of opioids that enter the U.S. through ports of entry, including an additional $148 million for CBP to fight the opioid crisis.
• $11.7 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be prepared to respond to disasters and provide disaster relief.

The Fiscal Year 2019 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides:

• $8.8 billion to support global health programs, including programs to eradicate polio, combat malaria, and to control infectious disease outbreaks before they reach the U.S.
• $829.5 million for maternal and child health programs. 
• Funding to support key allies around the world, including Israel.

The Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill provides:

• $280 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and $99 million for the Drug-Free Communities programs within the Office of National Drug Control Policy to combat the heroin and opioid crisis.
• $699.3 million for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide assistance to small businesses.
• $11.3 billion for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including $77 million dedicated to the implementation of the new tax reform law Congress passed in December 2017.  

Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved three appropriation bills, the Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, the Fiscal Year 2019 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, and the Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, all of which are consistent with the spending limits included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 approved by Congress, and signed by President Trump, in February. The bills are now ready for consideration by the full Senate.

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