Supplementing The Nation's Emergency Funds (S. 2648)

What is S. 2648?

(Updated July 19, 2017)

 This bill would designate special federal money for supplementing funds for emergencies for fiscal year 2014. In terms of "emergencies," this bill is trying to tackle : the surge of unaccompanied minors on the southwestern border, national wildfires, and support for Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile defense system.

By providing funding for the the following federal agencies, this bill hopes to cover the necessary expenses for responding to the significant rise in unaccompanied children flooding the border:
  - The Department of Justice (DOJ)
  - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 
  - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
  - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  - The Department of State

Argument in favor

Provides desperately needed funds in agencies battling natural and social emergencies.

Argument opposed

This bill is tying together unrelated domestic and foreign issues. There should be more funding for a smaller number of federal agencies to handle each specific crisis.

Impact

People and federal agencies affected by the surge in child migrants, wildfires, or Israel's Iron Dome.

Cost of S. 2648

The CBO assumes while some of the funds may be obligated in fiscal year 2014, they may not be expended until fiscal year 2015 or later.

Additional Info

In Depth:

Some funding from the act comes from adjustments made to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 that would be considered "emergency requirements." This bill also outlines restrictions and prohibitions for how the funds are used.

In response to President Obama's request for funds to tackle the issue of child migrants at the southwestern border, this bill offers less money — but with no strings attached. Also, the bill does not change current law.

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