Breakdown of the FY2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill

See this brief breakdown of the Homeland Security Appropriations bill signed by President Bush last week:

Full Article

[Update 10/10: Congress halts funding for DHS programs until conditions are met]

House lifts DHS restrictions on use of grants for fusion centers

The House last week passed legislation that would force DHS to lift some restrictions on how state and local authorities can use DHS grants to fund state and local intel fusion centers.
The measure would ensure states and local authorities can use up to 50 percent of grant money awarded under two grant programs to pay [...]

DOJ Release New F.B.I. Guidelines for Terrorism Investigations

The Justice Department finalized on Friday an overhaul of rules that will give the F.B.I. freer rein to begin investigations into the possibility of terrorism, even without evidence of wrongdoing.  Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey and Robert S. Mueller III, director of the F.B.I., said the new guidelines, which will take effect Dec. 1, “provide [...]

President signs bill turning military spy satellites on U.S.

An appropriations bill signed by President Bush last week allows the controversial National Applications Office (NAO) to begin operating a stringently limited version of a program which would turn military spy satellites on the United States, sharing imagery with other federal, state, and local government agencies.
Both Congress and the GAO have expressed concern that the [...]

Likely candidates for the next Homeland Security Secretary

CQ Politics considers who the most likely Cabinet picks will be for both McCain and Obama.
The people cited as possible Secretary of Homeland Security are:
For McCain:

Frank Keating, CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers.

Experience: 2-term Governor of Oklahoma, head of Secret Service, head of Customs, head of INS, FBI agent, state and federal prosecutor.

Mitt [...]