Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
Description
This bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2026 and end the partial agency shutdown that began in February.
Summary
What it does
This bill would provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, effectively ending the partial department shutdown that began on February 14, 2026. The legislation proposes to fund a wide range of agencies and functions, including border security, immigration enforcement, transportation security, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and disaster response through FEMA. Additionally, the bill would authorize back pay for federal employees affected by the shutdown and ratify financial obligations incurred by the department during the funding lapse to protect life and property.
Who is affected
This bill directly affects federal employees within the Department of Homeland Security who are authorized to receive back pay following the partial agency shutdown. It also impacts numerous agencies under the department's jurisdiction, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, the legislation affects entities involved in cybersecurity, infrastructure security, and federal law enforcement training through the allocation of departmental appropriations.
Key provisions
- Funding for Departmental Management and Oversight. Provides appropriations for the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management, the Management Directorate, the Office of Inspector General, and various intelligence and situational awareness offices.
- Funding for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations. Allocates funds for several major agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service.
- Funding for Protection, Preparedness, and Recovery. Provides financial resources for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Funding for Research, Development, and Training Services. Appropriates funds for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and the Science and Technology Directorate.
- Resolution of the Partial DHS Shutdown. Ends the partial department shutdown by providing appropriations for the remainder of FY2026 and authorizing back pay for affected federal employees.
- Ratification of Shutdown Obligations. Approves obligations incurred during the funding gap to maintain essential activities for protecting life and property and managing the termination of government functions.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The bill provides appropriations for the remainder of fiscal year 2026 and includes provisions to end the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began on February 14, 2026.
Relationship to existing law
The bill provides funding for the remainder of FY2026 to end a partial shutdown caused by the expiration of a prior continuing resolution. It also authorizes back pay for affected federal employees in accordance with current law and ratifies obligations incurred during the shutdown to maintain essential government functions.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of fiscal year 2026 and end the partial department shutdown that began on February 14, 2026. It also seeks to authorize back pay for affected federal employees and ratify financial obligations incurred during the shutdown to maintain essential activities protecting life and property.