Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 7481
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-06-11T21:21:42Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation, H.R. 7481 (Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026), provides funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations, programs, and activities for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026). It allocates specific budget amounts to DHS components and includes administrative rules, oversight requirements, and restrictions to support national security, border protection, emergency response, cybersecurity, and immigration services.

Key Provisions

The bill is divided into five titles, appropriating over $70 billion in total (including disaster relief), with funds drawn from the U.S. Treasury. Key allocations and requirements include:

Title I: Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight
Funds the Office of the Secretary ($297.6 million for operations), Management Directorate ($1.7 billion for operations, including fleet modernization), Federal Protective Service (fees for building security), Intelligence and Analysis ($340.8 million), and Inspector General ($257.6 million, with $20 million for detention facility oversight).
Administrative provisions require reports on non-competitive grants/contracts, monthly budget/staffing updates, acquisition program briefings, and restrictions on new pilots/demonstrations (requiring documented objectives and post-completion reports). Prohibits certain intelligence activities and mandates quarterly oversight of prior-year funding.

Title II: Security, Enforcement, and Investigations
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): $10.6 billion for operations (offset by security fees), $330.2 million for procurement/improvements, $24 million for research.
Coast Guard: $11.3 billion for operations (including $530 million for defense activities and oil spill response), $991.9 million for procurement (vessels, aircraft), $6.8 million for research, $1.2 billion for retired pay. Adds $98 million for MQ-9 unmanned aircraft procurement.
U.S. Secret Service: $3.1 billion for operations (including $6 million for missing/exploited children investigations and overtime pay exceptions), $118.5 million for procurement, $3.3 million for research.
Administrative provisions ensure screening for officials, allow fund use for explosives detection, require capital investment plans, restrict recreational vessel documentation fees, prohibit reductions in certain Coast Guard operations, and limit protection for non-DHS agency heads.

Title III: Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): $2.2 billion for operations, $386.5 million for procurement.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): $1.7 billion for operations, $156.4 million for procurement, $3.8 billion for federal assistance grants (e.g., $494 million for state homeland security, $300 million for nonprofit security, $684 million for firefighter grants, $272.7 million for community projects), $26.4 billion for disaster relief (for major disasters), $226 million for the National Flood Insurance Fund.
Administrative provisions allow CISA funds for threat feeds to non-federal entities, cap grant administrative costs at 5%, set grant application timelines with penalties for delays, require pre-award briefings, waive certain fire grant requirements, ensure flood mapping funds are supplemental, and prohibit pausing funded training without notice.

Title IV: Research, Development, Training, and Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): $122.9 million for operations (including E-Verify program).
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC): $379.8 million for operations, $18.3 million for procurement.
Science and Technology Directorate: $352.8 million for operations, $51.5 million for procurement, $426.9 million for research.
Administrative provisions allow USCIS vehicle use in remote areas, prohibit outsourcing certain immigration roles, permit biometric collection at support centers, and authorize FLETC to accept transfers for facilities and classify instructors as governmental functions.

Title V: General Provisions
Includes reprogramming limits (e.g., no shifts over 10% without 30-day notice), working capital fund rules, carryover of unobligated balances (up to 50% for operations), intelligence authorization, advance notifications for grants/contracts over thresholds, restrictions on facilities/conferences, and prohibitions (e.g., no first-class travel, no pornography on networks, no restraints on pregnant detainees without justification).
Rescinds $88.5 million from prior unobligated balances (e.g., from management and border protection accounts) and $2.4 million from a nonrecurring expenses fund.
Adds $30 million for Supreme Court salaries/expenses and $140 million for FAA air traffic controller pay raises (3.8% increase, tied to efficiency improvements).
Transfers $99.8 million from a prior cybersecurity fund to CISA operations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends reporting to briefings (e.g., Sec. 204 changes TSA reports to briefings under 49 U.S.C. 44945 note).
Extends overtime pay exceptions for Secret Service (Sec. 218 amends 5 U.S.C. 5547 note, effective retroactively to 2023; increases cap to $40 million for 2024).
Prohibits funds for certain Coast Guard unmanned aircraft with "kinetic capabilities" (Sec. 211(b)).
Waives fire grant restrictions (Secs. 307, 309) and extends a Coronavirus Aid provision on state/local procurement flexibility to September 30, 2026 (Sec. 539).
Requires interactive dashboards for FEMA reimbursement requests (Sec. 313) and congressional access to detention facilities without prior notice (Sec. 543).
Rescinds specific prior-year balances and adjusts fee assumptions in budget submissions (Sec. 533).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Provides stable funding for DHS operations, enhancing capabilities in aviation security, maritime patrols, cybersecurity, and disaster response. Rescissions and reprogramming limits may constrain flexibility, while oversight reports could increase administrative burdens but improve accountability.
Citizens: Bolsters public safety through TSA screening, FEMA grants for local emergency preparedness (e.g., firefighter staffing, flood mitigation), and Secret Service protections. Immigration services like E-Verify continue without fee reductions, potentially aiding employment verification. Restrictions on detainee treatment (e.g., pregnant women, record retention) aim to protect rights.
International Relations: Supports Coast Guard overseas deployments and Secret Service foreign assistance ($100,000 limit), but prohibitions on Guantanamo detainee transfers (Sec. 536) and Arms Trade Treaty implementation (Sec. 534) maintain U.S. policy stances. No direct impacts on trade or alliances noted.

Main Stakeholders Affected

DHS Components and Employees: Direct funding recipients (e.g., TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA staff) benefit from salaries, training, and equipment; overtime provisions aid Secret Service personnel.
State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Receive $3.8 billion in grants for homeland security, fire/emergency response, and disaster mitigation, supporting local law enforcement and infrastructure.
Citizens and Communities: Impacted via enhanced security (airports, ports, nonprofits), disaster aid ($26.4 billion for relief), and flood insurance operations; community projects fund specific local initiatives.
Contractors and Non-Profits: Eligible for grants (e.g., $300 million for at-risk nonprofits) and procurement contracts, subject to competition and oversight rules.
Immigrants and Detainees: USCIS funding supports processing; provisions protect detainee records and limit restraints.
Congress and Oversight Bodies: Enhanced reporting/briefing requirements increase transparency.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens oversight (e.g., Inspector General audits, non-competitive award reports) to prevent waste/fraud, aligning with federal procurement laws. Prohibitions (e.g., no A-76 outsourcing competitions, no national ID card planning) limit executive discretion. Buy American requirements (Sec. 511) enforce domestic sourcing under 41 U.S.C. ch. 83.
Constitutional: Ensures congressional control over spending via reprogramming restrictions and notifications (Secs. 503, 507), upholding separation of powers. Access to detention facilities (Sec. 543) supports legislative oversight without violating due process.
Political: Includes $272.7 million in congressionally directed spending (earmarks) for local projects, reflecting bipartisan priorities. Rescissions target prior unobligated funds, potentially signaling fiscal restraint. References to explanatory statements (Sec. 551) guide implementation without formal conference report, streamlining appropriations amid divided government. No overt bias; focuses on security and efficiency.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]

Cosponsors (114)

Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22] and 64 more

Recent Actions

2026-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-02-11: Introduced in House
2026-02-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (83 pages)