House appropriators want to boost cybersecurity funding at the Homeland Security Department, but not by as much as the agency requested.

DHS would receive 63 percent more money in fiscal 2013 under the bill. That would add roughly $300 million more to the cyber budget, which is just $20 million shy of the agency’s request.

The committee said the new money would help pay for improvements to blunt cyber attacks and foreign espionage. The funds would go to the Federal Network Security branch, which focuses on protecting the government.

The House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee will vote on the bill today. Lawmakers are debating separate legislation that could let DHS have more say over cybersecurity in the private sector.


This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.