Department of Homeland Security

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security is a specialized panel within the larger Senate Committee on Appropriations. It holds initial hearings and reviews legislation related to funding for the Department of Homeland Security and its related agencies. The subcommittee exists because homeland security funding is so substantial and complex that it requires dedicated oversight within the broader appropriations process. Only the full Appropriations Committee can report bills to the Senate floor, but this subcommittee prepares the ground by examining budget requests and holding hearings on DHS operations.

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of critical agencies and programs. These include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The subcommittee also funds state and local preparedness efforts and disaster relief programs.

Chair Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL) has made border security a top priority, while Ranking Member Christopher Murphy (D-CT) has focused on oversight of immigration enforcement operations and DHS spending practices. Recent subcommittee activity includes hearings on the Fiscal Year 2026 DHS budget request, with both leaders questioning DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on agency priorities, funding needs, and implementation of administration policies. The subcommittee has also addressed DHS funding lapses and debates over how the department allocates resources across its various missions.