# Plain Language Summary: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

This bill is Congress's way of deciding how much money the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gets to spend in 2026 and what it can spend that money on. The DHS is the federal agency responsible for border security, immigration enforcement, airport security, disaster response, and cybersecurity. Think of this bill as the annual budget that tells DHS exactly how many dollars they have available for each of their major operations and programs.

The bill determines funding levels for several key areas under DHS control. This includes money for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (the agency that handles border crossings and immigration), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (which handles deportations and workplace immigration investigations), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA—the people who screen you at airports), the Secret Service, the Coast Guard, and FEMA (which responds to disasters). It also covers cybersecurity operations and various support functions that keep these agencies running.

When Congress passes this appropriations bill, it essentially sets the priorities for how DHS will operate during 2026. If the bill increases funding for border security, that means more resources for that mission. If it cuts funding for a particular program, that program has to do more with less. These decisions ripple through to everyday people—they can affect how long airport security lines are, how quickly disaster relief arrives after a hurricane, how many immigration cases get processed, and how well the government can respond to cyber threats. The bill also typically includes specific rules about what DHS can and cannot do with the money, which can restrict or expand certain enforcement activities or programs.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

Amodei, Mark E.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, including<ul><li>the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management;</li><li>the Management Directorate;</li><li>Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness; and</li><li>the Office of Inspector General.</li></ul>In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including<ul><li>U.S. Customs and Border Protection,</li><li>U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,</li><li>the Transportation Security Administration,</li><li>the U.S. Coast Guard, and</li><li>the U.S. Secret Service.</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including<ul><li>the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and</li><li>the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).</li></ul>The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including<ul><li>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,</li><li>the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and</li><li>the Science and Technology Directorate.</li></ul>The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.