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Bill

HR 7617

To provide funding for administrative expenses of the Department of Homeland Security during any lapse in appropriations during fiscal year 2026, to require that the Department be responsive to congressional offices during such a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Julie Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

HR 7617 authorizes DHS administrative funding during 2026 appropriations lapses and requires agency responsiveness to Congress during shutdowns.

Introduced in House
1
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 7617

Legislative bill overview

HR 7617 authorizes funding for the Department of Homeland Security's administrative operations during potential government funding lapses in fiscal year 2026. The bill also mandates that DHS remain responsive to congressional office inquiries during such lapses, addressing communication breakdowns that have occurred during previous shutdowns.

Why is this important

Government shutdowns create operational chaos and can compromise national security functions. By pre-authorizing DHS administrative funding during lapses, this bill aims to maintain critical homeland security operations and ensure Congress can still oversee agency activities—concerns that became prominent during recent extended shutdowns.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "administrative expenses": Unclear whether this covers only back-office functions or extends to operational positions, potentially allowing DHS to maintain broader operations than Congress intended without full appropriation
  • Congressional accountability mechanisms: The bill requires "responsiveness" to congressional offices but lacks specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance
  • Precedent for single-agency carve-outs: Providing DHS exemptions from shutdown restrictions could encourage similar bills for other agencies, potentially undermining Congress's leverage in budget negotiations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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