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2013 spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved this week by a Senate panel includes good news for the agency's science and technology programs. It also tosses a bit of kibble to dog
researchers.
Overall, the $45.2 billion bill (S. 3216) approved on 22 May by the Senate's Committee
on Appropriations would cut DHS's total budget of $46.2 billion by about $1 billion over 2012 levels in the fiscal year that begins 1 October. At the same
time, it would give a $212 million boost to the department's core research programs, boosting their budget to $478 million. That increase reverses deep
cuts that Congress made last year and matches the White House's request made earlier this year. It is also more generous than the $406 million approved
earlier this month by a House of Representatives spending panel.
The Senate included no funds for DHS's proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas, which is expected to cost more than $1
billion. Two government advisory bodies are studying the need, cost, and safety plans for the controversial laboratory, which would carry out research on
dangerous livestock pathogens. In contrast, House appropriators gave NBAF $75 million. The president's budget also withholds any funding.
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