Sponsors (115)
Introduced February 11, 2026 by Rosa L. Delauro · Last progress February 11, 2026
The bill trades substantially greater transparency, oversight, and fiscal controls over DHS and related programs (and some targeted operational and safety improvements) for added administrative burdens, reduced agility to respond to emergencies, and several new or shifted costs and operational constraints.
Taxpayers, Congress, and state/local governments gain much greater transparency and congressional oversight of DHS and related agencies through regular monthly/quarterly budget and staffing reports, acquisition briefings, IG reviews of non-competitive awards, pre-notification of forfeiture fund transfers, consolidated TSA reporting, and limits on midyear transfers.
Taxpayers and agencies are more likely to avoid wasteful spending because pilots/demonstrations and acquisition programs over specified thresholds must document objectives, assessment methods, costs, lessons learned, and lifecycle risks, and because pay/award and working capital fund rules promote fiscal discipline.
Travelers, transportation workers, and federal employees benefit from strengthened aviation and screening measures: federal officials subject to the same screening as the public, authorization to use FY2026 Aviation Security Capital Fund for explosives detection systems to accelerate deployment, and consolidated TSA planning/reporting for clearer oversight of airport security investments.
Federal agencies (especially DHS components) and federal employees face a substantial increase in administrative burden, reporting costs, and publication requirements that will divert staff time and resources and could slow program delivery.
Citizens, border communities, and responders could see slower or reduced operational responsiveness because strict caps and prohibitions on reprogramming and transfers (and some rescissions) limit DHS's ability to shift funds quickly to emergent threats or urgent operations.
State and local programs that rely on Treasury Forfeiture Fund transfers or other intra-agency transfers risk funding delays because advance-notification holds and transfer restrictions can slow availability of seized-asset or transferred funds.
Based on analysis of 10 sections of legislative text.
Increases DHS/TSA transparency and acquisition reporting, tightens DHS reprogramming/transfer limits, sets FEMA grant timing/admin limits, and adjusts USCIS and FLETC authorities for FY2026.
Requires new layers of financial, procurement, staffing, and acquisition transparency at the Department of Homeland Security and tightens how DHS may reprogram or transfer funds. Places new reporting, briefing, and Inspector General review requirements for DHS spending and acquisitions; changes several TSA reporting and screening rules; limits FEMA grant administrative costs and imposes strict application timelines with financial penalties for missed deadlines; and adjusts authorities at USCIS and FLETC for vehicles, biometrics, training accreditation, and facility management. Many provisions apply to fiscal year 2026 and include concrete reporting deadlines in 2026–2027.