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Customs and Quarantine asks for $2.86M to fund automation, x-rays and canine costs; committee asks for details
Summary
Customs and Quarantine submitted a FY26 funding request totalling $2,857,890 for items including baggage x-ray machines, canine maintenance and phase 3 of a modernization automation project. Budget staff said FY25 included a federal-local match not repeated in the FY26 request.
Customs and Quarantine (CQA) presented a supplemental request during the appropriations review seeking $2,857,890 for a set of operational upgrades and program needs.
Budget staff read the CQA letter listing specific requests: $170,225 as a local match for a PAG 2023 grant; $200,000 to acquire additional baggage x-ray machines for the airport; $150,000 for canine maintenance, including veterinary services and supplies; $251,253 for annual rental of current space; $1,300,000 for phase 3 of the Customs modernization automation project; $150,000 for equipment integration into the NetLEO communications system; and $636,612 to fund additional trainee positions (training of officers). The sum totals $2,857,890.
Committee members asked whether CQA would receive federal matching funds in FY26. Budget staff said FY25 included a federal-local match of about $1,230,000, but no separate federal match was indicated in CQA’s FY26 request; staff suggested that once a federal match is made, local matching obligations are typically satisfied for the life of the program. Committee members asked for a copy of the CQA letter and said they had amendments in draft addressing some of the requested items.
Senators flagged recurring issues: the agency’s airport passenger-fee revenue has fluctuated since COVID-19, which affects the quarantine/inspection fund’s receipts; staff noted the fund was tracking below projections by roughly $273,000 year to date. Committee members asked CQA to submit a revised EBR and fee schedule when available.
Why it matters: CQA’s modernization and automation efforts are intended to improve inspection processing and cargo screening at the port and airport. The committee sought more detail and documentation before deciding whether to fund the full request.
