PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 108-90.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Oct 1, 2003
(This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on September 23, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2004 - Title I: Departmental Management and Operations - Makes FY 2004 appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (Department) for: (1) the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management; (2) the Office of the Under Secretary for Management; (3) Department-Wide Technology Investments; and (4) the Office of the Inspector General.
Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations - Makes FY 2004 appropriations for: (1) the Office of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security (salaries and expenses, and U.S. visitor and immigrant status indicator technology), (2) customs and border protection (salaries and expenses, automation modernization, and construction); (3) immigration and customs enforcement (salaries and expenses, Air and Marine interdiction, operations, maintenance and procurement); (4) Federal air marshals; (5) the Federal Protective Service; (6) the Transportation Security Administration (aviation security, maritime and land security, intelligence, research and development, and administration); (7) the U.S. Coast Guard (including a rescission of funds, operating expenses, environmental compliance and restoration, reserve training, acquisition, construction, and improvements, alteration of bridges, research, development, test, and evaluation, and retired pay); (8) the U.S. Secret Service (salaries and expenses); and (9) acquisition, construction, improvements, and related expenses.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Title III: Preparedness and Recovery - Makes FY 2004 appropriations for: (1) the Office for Domestic Preparedness; (2) firefighter assistance grants; (3) the Counterterrorism Fund; (4) the Office of the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response (including for securing medical countermeasures against biological terror attacks); (5) the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program; (6) disaster relief; (7) the Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account; (8) the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund; (9) the Flood Map Modernization Fund; (10) the National Flood Insurance Fund; (11) the National Flood Mitigation Fund; (12) emergency management performance grants; (13) emergency food and shelter; and (14) Cerro Grande fire claims.
Title IV: Research and Development, Training, Assessments, and Services - Makes FY 2004 appropriations for: (1). citizenship and immigration services; (2) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (salaries and expenses, acquisition, construction, improvements, and related expenses); (3) information analysis and infrastructure protection; and (4) science and technology (research, development, acquisition, and operations).
Title V: General Provisions - (Sec. 503) Prohibits the availability of funds provided in this Act, provided by previous appropriations Acts to the agencies in or transferred to the Department, or from any accounts in the Treasury derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act for obligation or expenditure through a reprogamming of funds that: (1) creates new programs; (2) eliminates programs, projects, or activities; (3) increases funds for programs, projects, or activities that have been denied or restricted by Congress; or (4) proposes to use funds that have been directed for a specific activity by the appropriations committees for a different activity unless such committees are notified 15 days in advance.
(Sec. 505) Authorizes the use of appropriated funds for FY 2004 and thereafter for: (1) the purchase of uniforms without regard to the general purchase price limitations for the current fiscal year; (2) the purchase of insurance for official motor vehicles operated in foreign countries; (3) entering into contracts with the Department of State to furnish health and medical services to employees and their dependents serving in foreign countries; (4) the employment of experts and consultants; and (5) the hire and purchase of motor vehicles.
(Sec. 508) Deems any funds made available by this Act for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress under the National Security Act of 1947 during FY 2004 until enactment of an Act authorizing such activities for FY 2004.
(Sec. 509) Directs the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to establish an accrediting body of both Federal and non-Federal law enforcement training experts to establish standards for measuring and assessing the quality and effectiveness of Federal law enforcement training programs, facilities, and instructors. Requires the Center to ensure that all training centers under its control are operated at optimal capacity throughout the fiscal year.
(Sec. 513) Prohibits the use of Department funds: (1) for the production of customs declarations that do not inquire whether the passenger had been in the proximity of livestock; (2) for any activity or Government employee salary that would prohibit the enforcement of the ban of the Tariff Act of 1930 against the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured by convict labor; or (3) to allow the importation of goods (or the release of goods on which there is in effect a detention order) mined, produced, or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor.
(Sec. 517) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act to pursue or adopt regulations requiring airport sponsors to provide, without cost to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), building construction, maintenance, utilities and expenses, or space for services relating to aviation security (excluding space for necessary checkpoints). Permits negotiations of below-market rates for these items.
(Sec. 518) Prohibits the use of funds in this Act in contravention of the Buy American Act.
(Sec. 519) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this or previous appropriations Acts for deployment or implementation on other than a test basis of the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II) until the General Accounting Office has reported to the Committees on Appropriations that: (1) a system of due process exists by which passengers considered to pose a threat may appeal their delay or prohibition from boarding a flight; (2) the underlying error rate of databases will not produce a large number of false positives that will result in a significant number of passengers being treated mistakenly or security resources being diverted; (3) the TSA has stressed-tested and demonstrated the efficacy and predictive accuracy of all search tools in CAPPS II; and (4) the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) has established an internal oversight board to monitor the manner in which CAPPS II is being developed and prepared.
(Sec. 520) Requires the Secretary, for FY 2004 and thereafter, to charge reasonable fees for providing credentialing and background investigations in the field of transportation.
(Sec. 521) Directs the Secretary to research, develop, and procure certified systems to inspect and screen air cargo on passenger aircraft at the earliest possible date and to take certain preventive measures in the interim.
People & committees
Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5] · R–KY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 108-90.
Became Public Law No: 108-90.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Voice Vote.
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S11891-11897)
Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement and message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 417 - 8 (Roll no. 515).
House roll call 515 · Individual votesMotions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 417 - 8 (Roll no. 515).
House roll call 515 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered without objection.
On motion to recommit with instructions to conference committee Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 198 - 226 (Roll no. 514).
House roll call 514 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions to conference committee was ordered without objection.
Mr. Sabo moved to recommit with instructions to the conference committee. (consideration: CR H8801-8802; text: CR H8801)
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - Pursuant to H. Res. 374 the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 2555.
Mr. Rogers (KY) brought up conference report H. Rept. 108-280 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 374. (consideration: CR H8793-8802)
Rule H. Res. 374 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 374 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 2555. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.
Conference report H. Rept. 108-280 filed. (text of conference report: CR H8425-8459)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 108-280 filed.(text of conference report: CR H8425-8459)
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Rogers (KY), Young (FL), Wolf, Wamp, Latham, Emerson, Granger, Sweeney, Sherwood, Sabo, Price (NC), Serrano, Roybal-Allard, Berry, Mollohan, and Obey.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 347 - 74 (Roll no. 494). (consideration: CR H8117-8118)
House roll call 494 · Individual votesAt the conclusion of debate on the Sabo motion to instruct, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Sabo requested the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the motion until later in the legislative day.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Sabo motion to instruct conferees. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to insist on inclusion of the highest possible level of funding for each Homeland Security, preparedness and disaster response program within Title II, III and IV and on inclusion of House General Provision 521.
Mr. Sabo moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H8107; text: CR H8107)
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H8107-8111)
Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Cochran; Stevens; Specter; Domenici; McConnell; Shelby; Gregg; Campbell; Craig; Byrd; Inouye; Hollings; Leahy; Harkin; Mikulski; Kohl; Murray.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 1. Record Vote Number: 306. (text as passed Senate: CR 7/25/2003 S9980-9986)
Senate roll call 306 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 93 - 1. Record Vote Number: 306.(text as passed Senate: CR 7/25/2003 S9980-9986)
Senate roll call 306 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9830-9887)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9748-9788)
The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9672-9697; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S9672-9680)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9623-9626, S9628-9629)
Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 192.
Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Cochran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-86.
Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Cochran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-86.
Committee on Appropriations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 425 - 2 (Roll no. 310).
House roll call 310 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 425 - 2 (Roll no. 310).
House roll call 310 · Individual votesThe House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2555.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tancredo amendment under the five minute rule.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jakcson-Lee amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Tancredo amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Waters amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Baldwin amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson-Lee, (TX) amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
On sustaining the ruling of the Chair. Agreed to by recorded vote: 385 - 28 (Roll no. 306).
House roll call 306 · Individual votesMr. Filner appealed the ruling of the Chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the Chair.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Manzullo amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
POSTPONED VOTE - At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 293, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Markey amendment under the five-minute rule.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hayes amendment under the five-minute rule.
Mr. Mica raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Mica stated that section 522 of the bill proposed to change existing law and constituted legislation in appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
Mr. Mica raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Mica stated that section 521 of the bill sought to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
Mr. Mica raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Mica stated that section 514 of the bill proposed to change existing law and constituted legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Brady (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Maloney amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Terry amendment under the five-minute rule.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LoBiondo amendment under the five-minute rule.
On sustaining the ruling of the Chair. Agreed to by recorded vote: 222 - 200 (Roll no. 305).
House roll call 305 · Individual votesMr. Obey appealed the ruling of the Chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the Chair.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with discussion on the Obey amendment pending reservation of a point of order.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Filner amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Filner demanded a recorded vote and pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 293, the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Filner amendment under the five-minute rule.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2555.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul E. Gillmor to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 293 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2555 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. Waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with sec. 501 of H. Con. Res. 95, (prohibiting advanced appropriations) and clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except as specified in the resolution. Bill is open to amendments. Authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 293. (consideration: CR H5744-5795; text of Title I as reported in House: CR H5754, H5756; text of Title II as reported in House: CR H5757, H5759, H5761, H5764; text of Title III as reported in House: CR H5769, H5770-5771; text of Title IV as reported in House: CR H5771-5772; text of Title V as reported in House: CR H5772-5773, H5775)
Rule H. Res. 293 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 293 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2555 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. The bill shall be read for amendment by paragraph. Waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with sec. 501 of H. Con. Res. 95, (prohibiting advanced appropriations) and clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except as specified in the resolution. Bill is open to amendments. Authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 84.
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 108-169, by Mr. Rogers (KY).
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 108-169, by Mr. Rogers (KY).
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 7, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2555 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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