Appropriations panel to vote on homeland security spending bill

Despite other canceled legislative work to honor former President Ronald Reagan, the House Appropriations Committee plans to stick to its schedule to mark up the fiscal 2005 homeland security spending bill on Wednesday.

The $30.8 billion appropriations bill, which the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee approved by voice vote last week, included language prohibiting funding to deploy or implement a controversial passenger data program, known as CAPPS II, until certain privacy requirements are met. Specifics about the criteria were not available until the full committee takes action on the bill.

The subcommittee also included policy provisions requiring inspection and screening of air cargo to double during the 2005 fiscal year and provided no funding for the Homeland Security Department's legislative affairs office.

It also maintains a 45,000 cap for Transportation Security Administration airport passenger screeners.