Sponsors (12)
The bill lets DHS keep border and other critical functions running during an appropriations lapse by reallocating unobligated ICE/CBP funds, trading increased operational continuity for greater executive spending discretion and risks to long‑term readiness and budget transparency.
Border communities and law enforcement will see mission-critical border-security operations continue during an appropriations lapse because DHS can reallocate unused ICE/CBP funding to keep those operations running.
Taxpayers and federal employees benefit from continuity of certain DHS functions without new appropriations because the department can use existing unobligated balances to avoid immediate lapses in services.
Federal hiring-driven expansion is constrained during a lapse because funds moved under this authority cannot be used to fill vacant DHS positions, limiting growth in headcount financed during funding gaps.
Law enforcement and border communities could face reduced ICE/CBP readiness after a lapse if funds are diverted away from their originally intended uses, weakening future operations once regular appropriations resume.
Taxpayers may see congressional control over budget choices weakened because the authority concentrates reallocation discretion in the DHS Secretary during a lapse, reducing routine congressional oversight of how supplemental funds are spent.
Using unobligated balances to cover DHS costs during a lapse could obscure the true fiscal impacts of the lapse and complicate budget transparency and accountability for taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
During a DHS funding lapse, the Secretary may move specified unobligated DHS funds to other DHS accounts, except to top management, ICE, or CBP, and may not use transfers to fill vacant positions.
Gives the Secretary of Homeland Security temporary authority during a lapse in DHS appropriations to move certain unobligated DHS funds to other DHS accounts. Transfers can use unobligated amounts from specific prior appropriations and from funds made available for ICE or CBP, but transfers cannot go to the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management, ICE, or CBP, and transferred funds cannot be used to appoint people to vacant DHS positions.
Introduced March 5, 2026 by Scott Peters · Last progress March 5, 2026