All Roll Calls
Yes: 433 • No: 426
HR7744119th CongressWALLET
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Cole
Passed House
Summary
Provides FY2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This bill would fund DHS operations and programs across border security, disaster response, and cybersecurity while adding new reporting rules, transfer limits, and program-specific restrictions.
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- Communities and households: FEMA and related disaster programs are funded and tied to stricter grant timing and transparency rules. Missed Disaster Relief Fund reporting can trigger penalties of $100,000 per day against DHS management oversight funding.
- Border security, migrants, and enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection would receive about $17.7 billion for operations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about $10.0 billion. The bill layers oversight on detention and removal plans, restricts certain delegations, and requires protections for pregnant, postpartum, and nursing people in custody.
- Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would get about $2.2 billion plus a $99.8 million transfer from an unobligated response fund. The bill expands cross‑agency cyber threat feed sharing and boosts response and recovery funding.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
29 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 2 costs, 11 mixed.
Possible 3.8% raise for air traffic controllers
If enacted and the FAA Administrator finds required improvements are met, covered air traffic controllers would get a 3.8% pay increase for 2026. The raise would start the first pay period after January 1, 2026. The bill would provide $140,000,000 for this, available until September 30, 2027.
Cheaper Canadian prescriptions for personal use
If enacted, CBP would not be able to use its funds to stop a person from carrying up to a 90‑day supply of a prescription drug from Canada. The drug would need to meet U.S. safety law. Controlled substances and biological products would not be allowed. This applies only to people not in the business of importing drugs.
Cyber threat feeds for governments funded
If enacted, $99.75 million would move to CISA’s operations account. CISA would use it to buy or provide access to cybersecurity threat feeds for federal agencies and for state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, fusion centers, and information‑sharing groups.
No unmonitored gun transfers to cartels
If enacted, law enforcement could not use this bill’s funds to give an operable firearm to a known or suspected cartel agent unless U.S. officers control or watch the gun at all times.
Stronger oversight and protections in detention
If enacted, DHS could not block Members of Congress from entering detention sites for oversight or make temporary changes to hide conditions. DHS would have to keep and provide, where allowed by law, records about deaths and abuse allegations in custody. Detention contracts could not continue if the last two overall reviews were below “adequate,” and 287(g) deals would have to end after an Inspector General finding of a material violation. The DHS Inspector General would get $20 million, available through September 30, 2027, for more facility inspections. Restraints on pregnant or post‑delivery people would be tightly limited and banned during labor, with safer methods required when any restraint is allowed.
More airport explosives detection funding in 2026
For fiscal year 2026, the Aviation Security Capital Fund would be allowed to pay for explosives detection systems and related agreements. This would support airport security upgrades during that year.
Takes back $203 million in DHS funds
The bill would rescind prior DHS balances totaling about $203 million. That includes $111,744,895, $89,265,000, and $2,362,000 from named accounts. Amounts that Congress labeled as emergency would not be rescinded. This would reduce available balances at CISA, TSA, FEMA, and other DHS accounts.
Coast Guard drones funded; no armed UAVs
If enacted, the Coast Guard would get $98 million, available through September 30, 2030, to buy MQ‑9 aircraft, base stations, and related gear. DHS would be barred from using funds in this or any prior Act to procure, acquire, or equip long‑range unmanned aircraft with kinetic capabilities.
Monthly border and detention forecasts, ICE reports
If enacted, DHS would produce monthly estimates of southwest border arrivals and of people it expects to detain and remove, for this year and next. The estimates would list single adults, family units, and unaccompanied children, be independently checked, and appear in budget papers. If DHS does not provide them, reprogramming and transfer powers would pause until it does. ICE would have to file a monthly obligation plan within 30 days, give monthly updates, and submit a detention funding execution plan within 90 days. The Secretary could move funds to ICE to maintain detention capacity, and certain ICE leadership payments and a $5 million Blue Campaign transfer would depend on timely reporting.
Secret Service reports more, shifts costs
If enacted, the Secret Service Director would send a report within 180 days and then yearly through 2028 on meeting rising protection demands and reducing overtime. For funds in this Act, a cited funding line would be set at $40 million instead of $24 million. The Service would not use these funds to protect other agency heads unless fully reimbursed. $2 million would support National Computer Forensics Institute facilities. Funds in this Act could not reimburse agencies for taking part in National Special Security Events.
Stronger DHS budget guardrails and notices
If enacted, DHS would need to notify Congress 30 days before big funding shifts and follow caps on reprogramming and transfers. DHS would also have to give Congress three business days’ notice before large grants and contracts, with set dollar thresholds, and wait 15 days to obligate Technology Modernization Fund dollars after a detailed report. $5 million for the Secretary’s office would be withheld until budget hearing questions are fully answered. These steps would add oversight before large spending moves.
Faster FEMA aid, with stricter limits
If enacted, FEMA grants would face stricter rules and deadlines. Administrative costs would be capped at 5% for listed grants, and each award would last 3 to 5 years. FEMA would have to post applications within 60 days; applicants would have 80 days to apply; FEMA would act within 65 days after receipt. Missing the 60‑day posting would cut $100,000 per day from FEMA operations, and early public award announcements could trigger a $1,000,000 rescission. A public reimbursement dashboard and Disaster Relief Fund reporting would be required, with $100,000‑per‑day penalties for late reports, except when only lifesaving work can be funded.
USCIS oath unchanged; easier biometrics visits
If enacted, DHS would not be able to use these funds to change the U.S. naturalization oath. USCIS could use funds to collect fingerprints and photos at support centers that are overseen remotely by USCIS staff. This would let some biometric appointments be supervised virtually.
No new fee to cross borders
If enacted, DHS would be barred from creating or charging a new per‑person fee to cross a U.S. land port by foot, bike, or private vehicle. The bill would also stop studies about such a fee.
Backup care and commuting help for DHS staff
This bill would let DHS use operations funds for an employee emergency back‑up care program. It would also let USCIS buy up to five replacement vehicles in places without GSA leasing and allow home‑to‑work commuting in those areas if the Director approves. These changes would help some DHS workers cover care gaps and get to work.
Small purchase rules for DHS contracts
Operations and Support funds could pay for small purchases. Personal property would need a unit cost of $250,000 or less. Real property projects would need to cost $4,000,000 or less. This could open more contracting chances for smaller vendors.
Carry over unspent DHS operating funds
If enacted, DHS could keep up to 50% of unspent FY2026 Operations and Support money available through September 30, 2027. DHS would need to record the carryforward and notify Congress before spending it. Carryforward authority could not be used after June 15, 2027 for funds kept through September 30, 2027.
CBP care rules for pregnant and nursing people
CBP would have to follow its November 30, 2021 policy, or similar expert‑built standards, for people who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing, and for infants in custody. This would set care and safety rules for this group while they are in CBP custody.
CBP funds tied to traveler fees
If enacted, CBP would receive $31 million for operations, available until spent. That amount would be reduced by FY2026 collections credited to the account. Any collections over $31 million would also be credited and stay available.
Notice before pausing FEMA trainings or grants
If enacted, FEMA‑funded trainings or grants could not be paused unless DHS notifies Congress up to 10 business days beforehand with reasons, make‑up plans, and budget impact. The Secretary could waive advance notice only for extraordinary threats to life or property.
Reports on protection for covered individuals
If enacted, DHS would notify congressional leaders within 10 days after the President decides to evaluate or start protection for a covered individual. Notices could be classified and would include the threat assessment, scope, cost, and length. DHS would also notify before extensions or terminations and report quarterly on each covered individual and protection costs.
No DHS funding for a national ID
If enacted, DHS would not be able to use these funds to plan, test, pilot, or develop a national identification card.
CBP plans required; autonomous surveillance only
If enacted, CBP would have to submit an expenditure plan within 90 days before it could obligate procurement, construction, and improvement funds. CBP would also be barred from buying or deploying surveillance systems that are not “autonomous” under the referenced law.
Limits on big DHS pay changes
DHS would have to notify Congress and wait 30 days before starting large pay or job classification changes that affect over 100 full‑time positions or cost more than $5,000,000 in a year. The notice would need to list positions affected, current and five‑year funding, justification, and alternatives for pay reforms. This would not apply if the change was in the President’s budget and not blocked in this bill.
Tighter rules for DHS contractors and travel
If enacted, DHS could not pay award or incentive fees to contractors for substandard work. Purchases would have to follow Buy American rules. Agencies would not be able to pay for first‑class travel that breaks federal travel rules. International conference attendance would be capped at 50 in‑person employees per component and $500,000 total cost unless the Secretary approves in the national interest with 10 days’ notice. Employers paid with these funds could not hire the unauthorized workers named in 8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3).
Check DoD border support; keep ICE liaisons
If enacted, DHS would have to complete alternatives and cost‑benefit analyses before asking the Defense Department for border support and report to Congress within 30 days of a request and after assistance is granted. The bill would also bar cutting ICE attaché or liaison staff at embassies or consulates that support investigations unless the Secretary, with State, explains it undermines U.S. foreign policy, or the host country requests a stop.
Checks on DHS reorganizations and pilots
If enacted, DHS could not use this Act’s funds for section 872 reorganizations unless Congress expressly authorizes it after enactment, except for allowed CWMD reallocations. New DHS pilots or demos using over 10 FTEs or $5 million would need written goals, methods, schedules, and costs, with pre‑award notice and a report within 90 days after completion.
Government networks must block pornography
Any computer network funded by this bill would need to block viewing, downloading, and sharing pornography. Records about those networks would be available, as allowed by law, to someone charged or punished in related cases. Agencies would need filters and rules to comply.
More public reports and budget guardrails
Within seven days of enactment and then quarterly, DHS would send Congress plans for obligations and estimates of new or higher fee collections, showing what is kept versus sent elsewhere. Agencies would have to post required reports online after they have been with Congress for at least 45 days, if posting is in the national interest and safe for security and proprietary data. If they do not post, their reprogramming authority would pause. If DHS’s FY2027 budget counts on user fees not yet in law, the Secretary would have to propose matching cuts within 60 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cole
OK • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 3/5/2026
On Passage
Yes: 221 • No: 209
house vote • 3/5/2026
On Motion to Recommit
Yes: 212 • No: 217