Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Bill

Committee on Appropriations

2025-06-24

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Appropriations Committee convened to mark up the fiscal year 2026 Homeland Security Bill, which was noted to be a busy schedule for the week. The meeting aimed to finalize work on this bill, with provisions for recesses due to votes and a briefing on the Middle East situation. The primary focus of the day was the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2026.

Themes

Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for FY2026

The committee addressed the fiscal year 2026 Homeland Security Bill, which drew significant debate and opposition from some members. Concerns were raised about the bill's perceived failures to protect American citizens, uphold constitutional rights, and adequately fund critical agencies. Conversely, proponents highlighted the bill's focus on strengthening border security, empowering law enforcement, and enhancing preparedness for various threats. Ultimately, the bill was moved to be favorably reported to the House.

FEMA Funding and Disaster Preparedness

A major point of contention was the proposed cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including reductions to its disaster relief fund and staffing. Critics argued these cuts would leave Americans vulnerable to natural disasters, especially with an $8 billion deficit in the Disaster Relief Fund and upcoming hurricane and wildfire seasons. Members shared personal experiences of FEMA's vital role in disaster recovery and expressed alarm at suggestions of eliminating the agency. An amendment to restore the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, aimed at disaster mitigation, was heavily debated and ultimately adopted in an amended form that narrowed its scope.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Proposed budget cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) faced strong opposition, with members arguing that such reductions would compromise national security against cyberattacks from foreign adversaries. Concerns were raised about CISA's focus under the Trump administration, with allegations of mission creep into domestic speech policing. An amendment proposed reducing CISA's funding to the President's budget request level to refocus the agency on its core mission.

Immigration Enforcement and Civil Liberties

Discussions frequently centered on immigration policies and the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Several members criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies, citing concerns about human rights violations, lack of due process, and the targeting of legal immigrants and U.S. citizens. Amendments were introduced to prevent the deportation of non-citizen veterans without due process, prohibit enforcement activities in places of worship and courthouses, and ensure U.S. citizens are not unlawfully detained or deported by ICE.

Temporary Visas and Immigration Programs

The meeting included debates on various temporary visa programs crucial for addressing labor shortages in certain sectors. Amendments sought to expand H-2B and H-2A visas for seasonal and agricultural workers, as well as P visas for circus and carnival workers. Discussions also covered the future of the Uniting for Ukraine program, aimed at humanitarian parole for Ukrainian refugees, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals, with calls for continued protection and thorough analysis of country conditions.

Nonprofit Security Grants

Funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) was discussed, highlighting its importance in helping religious and community organizations protect themselves against rising threats and hate crimes. While an amendment increased funding for this program, some members noted that it still fell short of the requested amount to adequately address current needs.

Tone

The meeting's tone was predominantly contentious and highly partisan, especially during debates surrounding immigration policies, civil liberties, and proposed budget cuts to federal agencies. Members frequently expressed strong disagreements and used impassioned language when discussing the impact of policies on vulnerable populations and national security. However, there were also notable instances of bipartisan cooperation, particularly concerning technical amendments and the shared understanding of certain program needs. Emotional appeals and personal anecdotes were common, reflecting the deeply felt implications of the policies under discussion.

Participants

Transcript

call this meeting of the Appropriations Committee to order.
I'd like to welcome everyone to today's meeting.  As you know, we have a very busy schedule ahead of us today as part of a very busy week.  We'll be marking up our fiscal year 2026 bill covering Homeland Security.  Homeland Security markup was originally noticed for June 12th, but delays in our other markups necessitated a move to today.
Tomorrow, our Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Bill will be considered on the floor.
And on Thursday, we'll be marking up our Legislative Branch Bill for fiscal year 2026.  As such, we must and will finish our work on the Homeland Security Bill today.   or more probably tonight, and we'll be here until we're done.  That said, we will recess in the afternoon for votes, then reconvene immediately following the final vote.  As soon as I get 32, we will come to order.
I also understand there's a full member briefing on the situation in the Middle East scheduled for 3.15 this afternoon.
We will recess for that briefing.  We'll go up to as close to 3.15 as we can and give you time to get there, and we will reconvene immediately after.
I'll be going to the brief myself, so I'm coming straight back here.
As soon as we get 32, we'll be moving.  So I appreciate your cooperation.   Our only order of business today is the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2026.
So I'll now recognize Chairman Amaday to present the bill.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Madam Ranking Member, Madam Ranking Member of the full committee.   I've been around this process for a little while, and I know that the bill's been out and that you're all familiar with it.  A robust amendment discussion has taken place and proposed on both sides, and so I am going to assume for the bill presentation that you all know why we're here and what's in the bill, and I yield back.
Thank you very much.
That must be your opening move to be chairman of the full committee.
That's a brilliant start.
I'd now like to recognize Ms.  Underwood for remarks on the bill.
Good morning and thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Mr. Chairman, while I ultimately cannot support the legislation we're considering today, I've been so pleased to work with you on strengthening and improving our many shared bipartisan priorities in this space.  I thank you and your staff for your hard work and partnership and look forward to continuing to work together.   I also want to thank our staff, who I know have not slept much recently, Shannon, Jamie, and Chris, for their incredible work on these critical issues.  Now, I think we can all agree that whether it's at the border, the airport, our country's shorelines, or in cyberspace, the Department of Homeland Security cannot fail.  But I also believe that the department cannot fail the rights and values that make America the greatest nation in the world.  Under the Trump administration, DHS is out of control.   illegally spending hundreds of millions of our taxpayer dollars, flagrantly violating constitutional rights, and putting America's security at risk.  Under this administration, due process and the limitations that the Constitution puts on our government are being ignored, and this bill must do more to check them.   Right now, this bill fails to protect American citizens from being deported by the Trump administration.  It fails to protect American citizens from being confronted in their homes and offices or having their property seized as this administration's deportation policies ignore the boundaries of federal law.  It shamefully allows law enforcement to continue snatching people off the street at church,   at schools without requiring proper identification or due process.  And it punishes immigrants who are following our laws, all while rewarding for-profit detention centers with billions of taxpayer dollars and lacks oversight.   As members of Congress, we have a constitutional responsibility to keep this administration accountable in both how it spends taxpayer dollars and how it operates.  We saw this year after our FEMA hearing what this department does when anyone speaks truth to power.
I'm deeply concerned that if this bill passes and DHS goes unchecked, the United States of America will become a country that our own citizens will seek refuge from because of the repeated attacks on our basic freedoms and rights.   Giving unchecked power to this administration is bad enough, but unfortunately, the bill makes things worse.  By leaving Americans more vulnerable to catastrophic threats and burdening state and local governments, the bill adopts Doge staffing cuts to CISA and FEMA personnel by roughly $130 million and $93 million, respectively.   Let me say that again.  As a ceasefire remains elusive with Iran, a nation known for cyber attacks on adversaries, infrastructure and communities, you are doubling down on cuts to our core cyber defenses.   That's indefensible.  And the only people who benefit from this bill's failure to invest here are bad actors in Iran, China, Russia and around the world who are now find it easier to attack the American people.

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