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Bill

HR 7844

To provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with the authority to transfer funds between accounts under the Department of Homeland Security during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Steven Horsford and 1 co-sponsor

HR 7844 authorizes DHS Secretary to shift funds between accounts during government shutdowns, bypassing standard Congressional appropriations authority to maintain operations.

Introduced in House
3
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 7844

Legislative bill overview

HR 7844 grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to reallocate funds between DHS accounts during government funding lapses (shutdowns). This allows the department to maintain operations and pay employees without waiting for Congress to pass new appropriations bills. The bill is framed as an operational efficiency measure to prevent service disruptions during appropriations deadlocks.

Why is this important

Government shutdowns create significant uncertainty for federal employees, contractors, and the public services they provide. During the 2023-2024 shutdown period, DHS agencies experienced operational constraints. This bill attempts to address a recurring procedural problem by giving leadership flexibility to manage resources, though it also raises questions about congressional oversight of spending authority.

Potential points of contention

  • Congressional power of the purse: Transfers authority traditionally held by Congress to the executive branch, potentially undermining legislative control over appropriations—a core constitutional power
  • Lack of guardrails: The bill does not specify limits on which accounts can receive transfers or conditions for their use, potentially allowing broad discretionary spending without legislative approval
  • Precedent and scope creep: Normalizing executive fund transfers during lapses could expand future presidents' powers to bypass appropriations requirements, even beyond emergency situations

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

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