Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Amodei (NV)
In Committee
Summary
Appropriates FY2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It pairs multi-year line-item budgets with tighter acquisition, grant, and program controls and new limits on certain immigration and enforcement activities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 4 costs, 5 mixed.
More DHS budget and procurement oversight
If enacted, DHS would have to make monthly southern border arrival estimates that are validated and included in all budget materials. The bill would require monthly DHS budget and staffing reports and an ICE obligation plan within 45 days. DHS must show specific budget cuts if proposed user-fee revenues are not enacted before October 1, 2026. CBP procurement funds listed here could not be spent until CBP submits a 90-day expenditure plan. The bill also adds requirements for pilots, DoD assistance analyses and reports, and prior notification for Treasury Forfeiture Fund transfers.
Stricter ICE detention and monitoring
If enacted, DHS would be required to prioritize arresting, detaining, and removing people tied to terrorism, violent criminals, repeat offenders, organized crime, or threats to public safety. The bill would require detention facilities funded here to operate at full capacity on average for the year and would enroll all non-detained cases in GPS-based Alternatives to Detention until proceedings end. It would set aside at least $5 million for ICE's Blue Campaign and ban some medical care funded by ICE (gender-affirming care and most abortions, except narrow life-or-rape/incest exceptions). The bill would also bar renewing contracts at facilities with two poor performance ratings and change inspection rules and limits for some ICE-contracted facilities.
Bring personal Canadian prescriptions
If enacted, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be barred from using funds to stop an individual (not in the business of importing drugs) from bringing a personal prescription drug from Canada on their person. The drug would have to comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and be no more than a 90-day supply. The rule would not apply to controlled substances or biological products. The restriction would take effect upon enactment.
CISA can fund cyber threat feeds
If enacted, CISA could use Operations and Support funds to buy or provide access to cybersecurity threat feeds. Those feeds could go to federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal governments, fusion centers, and information-sharing groups. This change would help government and partner entities spot cyber threats faster.
Limits on DHS speech and programs
If enacted, DHS would be barred from labeling a United States person's lawful speech as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation. The bill would also block DHS from funding or partnering with organizations that pressure private firms to remove lawful U.S. speech. It would prohibit a DHS Disinformation Governance Board and restrict certain intelligence "covered activities." Covered DHS employees who break the rule would be removed from federal service.
Protects religious marriage beliefs from penalties
If enacted, federal agencies could not take discriminatory actions against a person because they speak or act on a sincerely held belief that marriage is one man and one woman. "Discriminatory action" includes denying or revoking tax-exempt status, withholding or terminating grants, contracts, licenses, certifications, employment, federal benefits, or access to federal property. The bill says those people must be treated as accredited, licensed, or certified if they would be but for such a determination.
Tighter asylum screenings and work limits
If enacted, immigration officers would have to find it "more likely than not" that a person could win asylum before finding a credible fear. The bill would bar issuing work permits to people whose asylum claims were denied or who were convicted while their application was pending. It would also bar using these funds to collect a previously proposed asylum application fee. The bill would further bar granting asylum to migrants who transited other countries unless narrow exceptions apply.
Bans funding to noncompliant cities and firms
If enacted, cities or counties that have laws or policies that stop them from following certain federal immigration-cooperation rules could be barred from receiving funds under this Act. The bill would also bar DHS from making contracts, grants, loans, or agreements with entities listed under a prior NDAA provision or their subsidiaries. These blocks would remove funding or contract opportunities from the affected jurisdictions and firms.
Radiological preparedness fees must cover costs
If enacted, DHS would be required to set Radiological Emergency Preparedness fees in fiscal year 2026 so aggregate charges cover at least 100% of DHS's anticipated REP costs. The charges must be fair and reflect service costs. Fees would be deposited into a REP account that becomes available October 1, 2026, and remain available until spent.
New visa and travel rules for noncitizens
If enacted, DHS could not implement a new H-2 modernizing rule, so many H‑2 employers would keep current rules. The bill would add a P-type visa category for mobile entertainment workers and require DHS and Labor to write rules within set deadlines. It would bar admitting F and M students at ports of entry if their school lacks recognition under Part H of Title IV. It would also bar visa-free parole into the Northern Mariana Islands for nationals of the People's Republic of China and stop DHS funds from being used to move certain noncitizens into the U.S. interior for non-enforcement reasons. DHS would be barred from using certain ICE operations funds to develop a physical immigrant ID.
FEMA grant and mitigation rule changes
If enacted, FEMA would have new deadlines and briefing rules for certain grant competitions. Applications must be posted within 60 days of enactment, applicants would have 80 days to apply, and FEMA would have 65 days to act on an application. For some grants FEMA must brief Appropriations Committees at least 5 full business days before announcing awards; announcing early would trigger a $1,000,000 rescission from FEMA Operations and Support. The bill would also tighten predisaster mitigation rules by shortening a lookback to 4 years, limiting some eligible measures to those tied to a major disaster in the previous 4 years, converting some discretionary authorities to mandatory ones, and setting a minimum cost-share of not less than 3 percent.
More DHS employee support options
If enacted, DHS Operations and Support funds could pay for an employee emergency back-up care program and for certain minor procurement or improvements tied to that program. The bill defines minor personal property items as unit costs of $250,000 or less and real property items as $4,000,000 or less. The bill would also let U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services buy up to five replacement vehicles where GSA does not lease cars, and allow assigned employees to commute between home and work in those vehicles. These authorities would take effect upon enactment.
Temporary H-2A rule for 2026 farm work
If enacted, work on agricultural operations defined in 7 U.S.C. 8791 would count as temporary or seasonal agricultural labor for H nonimmigrant admission in fiscal year 2026. Eligible foreign workers could be admitted for up to one year under that classification. The change would apply only for fiscal year 2026. This would mainly affect agricultural employers and foreign seasonal workers seeking H admissions.
Standards for pregnant people in CBP custody
If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security would be required to ensure CBP implements the November 30, 2021 policy (or similar standards) for pregnant, postpartum, nursing people, and infants in custody. CBP would need to develop or keep standards in consultation with maternal and pediatric health experts. The requirement aims to protect health, safety, and rights for these people while in CBP custody. The rule would take effect upon enactment.
DHS networks must block pornography
If enacted, DHS-funded computer networks would have to block viewing, downloading, and sharing of pornography. There is an exception when blocking would interfere with criminal investigations or prosecutions. This would change what DHS employees can access on work networks.
No DHS spending to implement treaty
If enacted, DHS could not use funds in this Act to implement the Arms Trade Treaty until the Senate approves a resolution of ratification. The ban stays in place until the Senate acts. This would limit DHS spending related to treaty implementation.
Ban on China-linked DHS IT buys
If enacted, DHS could not use funds in this Act to buy computers, printers, or videoconference services from manufacturers or bidders with any ownership stake tied to the People's Republic of China. The ban would apply to direct purchases and contracts covered by this bill. This would narrow vendor options and could raise costs or change procurement choices for DHS and affected sellers. The restriction would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Amodei (NV)
NV • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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