Funding for Homeland Security During Budget Gaps
Official: To provide funding for administrative expenses of the Department of Homeland Security during any lapse in appropriations during fiscal year 2026, to require that the Department be responsive to congressional offices during such a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.
This bill makes sure the Department of Homeland Security has the funds it needs to operate if there is a budget delay in 2026. It also requires the Department to keep Congress informed during those delays.
This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the administrative expenses necessary to operate the department for the duration of a lapse in appropriations. This includes appropriations for the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Congressional Relations. With respect to any lapse in appropriations during FY2026, DHS must use the funding provided by this bill to ensure that it performs all functions that would be performed in the absence of such a lapse, including responding to communications transmitted to DHS during the lapse by congressional offices. (There is currently a partial government shutdown in effect for DHS agencies and programs due to a lapse in FY2026 appropriations for DHS.)
1. This bill provides money for the Department of Homeland Security when there is no approved budget. 2. It ensures the Department can continue its basic operations during budget gaps. 3. The bill requires the Department to respond to questions from Congress during these times. 4. It applies specifically to the fiscal year 2026.