I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026

Overview

H.R. 7443, the I&A Mission Reorientation Act of 2026, aims to realign the mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). Introduced February 9, 2026, by Rep. August Pfluger (with cosponsors), the bill would formalize a shift to strengthen two-way intelligence collaboration with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTT) and private sector entities, while preserving I&A’s existing watchlisting authorities.

Purpose and Intent

• To ensure I&A’s operational mission gives equal priority and resources to providing timely, actionable intelligence in support of SLTT governments and private sector partners, alongside its participation in the broader U.S. intelligence community.
• To promote forward-deployed threat identification, two-way information sharing, and sustained engagement with fusion centers and other local partners.
• To prevent I&A’s internal intelligence support from overshadowing its essential outward-facing, stakeholder-focused mandate.

Key Provisions

• Realignment of Mission (Section 201(d)(24) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002)
  • I&A must prioritize and resource its operational mission to support SLTT governments and private sector entities.
  • Specific components of the realigned mission include:
  • Identifying and addressing emerging threats via forward-deployed intelligence capabilities.
  • Facilitating two-way information sharing: receiving intelligence from SLTT entities and disseminating actionable intelligence to them.
  • Maintaining robust, ongoing engagement with fusion centers (as defined in the bill).
  • Ensuring I&A’s intelligence support to DHS leadership does not undercut its broader SLTT and private-sector responsibilities.
• Reporting Requirement (Section 3(b))
  • Within 180 days of enactment, the Under Secretary for I&A must submit a detailed report to Congress (House Homeland Security Committee, House Intelligence Committee, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence) covering:
  • Steps taken to implement the mission realignment.
  • Progress on enhancing two-way information sharing with SLTT governments and private sector entities.
  • Metrics used to evaluate I&A’s effectiveness in supporting SLTT and private sector partners.
  • Any required resource or organizational changes to sustain the realignment.
• Relationship to Watchlisting (Section 3(c))
  • The bill explicitly states that nothing in the section should alter or change I&A’s watchlisting functions.

Who and What Is Affected

• The primary beneficiary is the Office of Intelligence and Analysis within DHS, along with SLTT governments and private sector entities that rely on DHS intelligence.
• Fusion centers and other local partners would be central to the two-way information-sharing framework envisioned by the bill.
• DHS leadership and the broader intelligence community would receive enhanced, coordinated support from I&A consistent with the realigned mission.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

• Initial referral: House Committee on Homeland Security; Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
• Subcommittee mark-up occurred February 10, 2026; full committee consideration/markup via voice vote May 14, 2026.
• If enacted, a reporting deadline is set: within 180 days after enactment, I&A must provide the mandated assessment to Congress.

Potential Impact

• A more SLTT- and private-sector-centered I&A operating posture could improve local threat awareness and responsiveness.
• The emphasis on two-way sharing may enhance collaboration and trust between DHS and local partners.
• The requirement for a formal progress report introduces legislative accountability and transparency regarding metrics and resource needs.