Congress has approved a bill increasing the Department of Homeland Security’s budget by 6.6 percent for 2010. The bill includes an 27 percent increase for cyber security.
The bill has been sent to President Obama for his approval. The total bill, authorizing $42.8 billion, is slightly below Obama’s requested$43.1 billion. The larger provision of funds to cyber security is relatively consistent with the administration’s increased focus on the issue. The bill also includes provisions for bio and agro defense research along with a border monitoring program. It also prohibits detainees currently at Guantanamo Bay from being transferred to US detention facilities.