Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced today that the fiscal 2004 budget will include a 10 percent funding increase for domestic defense, but later he warned that his newly consolidated department will soon be due for personnel cuts. Traveling to this city’s bustling port, Ridge said President Bush plans to increase the Homeland Security Department’s budget for fiscal 2004 to $36.2 billion. Overall funding for domestic security would rise to $41.3 billion when funds for other agencies are included. Later, in a private session with 60 agents and inspectors from various agencies who will work for him beginning on March 1, Ridge was blunt about the possibility that some could eventually lose their jobs or certain personnel rights, he said. He said Congress had insisted that the department’s 190,000 employees retain their jobs and current personnel privileges for a year after the agency’s formation. But after that, he told them, there will be changes, albeit ones accomplished with “compassion.” Full Story
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