Homeland security spending rose dramatically in 2001. Since then, Congressional and public debate has included several issues: how much should be distributed to states that are more vulnerable; whether local governments are indeed using the money appropriately; and more generally, what are the appropriate tools to safeguard the country.

The graph below shows the amount of budget authority (authorized spending) by the Department of Homeland Security and its predecessors since 1977. The total amount of what the federal government refers to as homeland security is larger because other agencies spend money that is considered homeland security. For example, the Department of Defense spends money to protect military installations.

Also, about one-third of the budget for the Department of Homeland Security is not for homeland security efforts. For example, the Coast Guard is under the Department, but it carries out coastal defense and port security which are homeland security activities, and marine safety and navigation support, non-homeland security activities.

The large spike in spending in 2005 is related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Source: Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the U.S. Government, FY2007, Historical Tables; Congressional Budget Office, Federal funding for homeland security, April 30, 2004.