As expected, the House Appropriations Committee passed its FY 2020 Department of Homeland Security bill earlier this week. The full committee kept the amounts for FAMA and FEMSA priority programs previously passed by the DHS subcommittee. The committee agreed to $750 million for AFG and SAFER combined ($375 million for each program). This represents a total increase of $50 million over current funding, a $25 million increase for each program.

The US Fire Administration was funded at $47.225 million, a $1.54 million increase over its current level. The Urban Search and Rescue System was funded at $37.83 million, down from last year’s funding level of $45.33 million.

The House and Senate have yet to agree on an FY 2020 budget which would establish domestic discretionary spending caps. This means we will have to work to maintain these increases as the appropriations process moves forward.

We will keep you fully informed of developments as they occur. If you have any questions, please contact GAC Co-chairs John Granby [email protected] Lee Morris [email protected] David Durstine [email protected] or GAC Sr. Advisor Dave Gatton [email protected].