H.R. 7744: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
Enacted as part of HR7148: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026· Feb 3, 2026
Sponsor
Tom Cole
Republican · OK-4
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 9, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Why it matters
Congress is trying to lock in Homeland Security funding for fiscal 2026 while adding tighter reporting and oversight as border, detention, and agency management remain politically charged.
H.R. 7744 is the annual spending bill for the Department of Homeland Security, covering top leadership offices, management functions, intelligence work, situational awareness, the Federal Protective Service, and the DHS inspector general. The bill provides specific dollar amounts for major accounts and leans heavily on an earlier House explanatory statement to spell out the detailed breakdown. In plain terms, it funds core headquarters and oversight operations while preserving congressional control over how some of that money is used.
A major theme is accountability. The bill requires monthly budget and staffing reports to Congress, quarterly briefings on major acquisition programs, and a report on grants and contracts awarded without full and open competition. It also withholds $5 million from the Office of the Secretary until DHS answers all committee questions tied to its fiscal 2027 budget hearings before July 1. That is a clear pressure tactic: Congress wants faster and fuller responses from DHS leadership.
The measure also puts real money into oversight. The Office of Inspector General gets $257.6 million, including $20 million specifically for added inspections and oversight of detention facilities and another $12.8 million for monitoring the execution of funds from an earlier law. That signals lawmakers expect intense monitoring of how DHS handles migrant detention, contracting, and implementation of recently enacted funding.
The bill is not just about spending more; it is also about controlling execution. It requires advance notice before certain forfeiture funds are transferred into DHS, assigns the official cost of government aircraft supporting travel by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary to the Secretary's office, and demands unusually detailed reporting on large acquisition programs. The broad takeaway is that Congress is funding DHS while also showing deep skepticism about how the department manages money, staffing, procurement, and sensitive operations.
What does H.R. 7744 do?
Funds DHS leadership and headquarters operations
The bill provides money for the Office of the Secretary, executive management, and the Management Directorate to run core department operations, including some funds that stay available for more than one year.
Withholds money until DHS answers Congress
It blocks $5 million from being spent by the Office of the Secretary until DHS submits responses to all budget-hearing questions from House and Senate appropriators before July 1.
Expands detention facility oversight
The DHS Office of Inspector General gets $20 million specifically for extra inspections and oversight of detention facilities, signaling strong concern about how those sites are run.
Requires monthly spending and staffing reports
DHS must send Congress a monthly report showing obligations and staffing levels across the department, giving lawmakers a running picture of how money and personnel are being used.
Forces closer review of contracts and grants
DHS must report all grants and contracts awarded without full and open competition during fiscal years 2025 or 2026, and the inspector general must review whether those actions followed the rules.
Demands detailed updates on major acquisitions
The Under Secretary for Management must brief Congress every quarter on large acquisition programs, including costs, delays, contractors, risks, and whether programs are in trouble.
Who benefits from H.R. 7744?
Congressional appropriators
They gain tighter control over DHS through mandatory monthly reports, acquisition briefings, transfer notifications, and a funding holdback tied to unanswered questions.
DHS Office of Inspector General
The office receives substantial funding, including extra money for detention oversight and for tracking how earlier appropriations are carried out.
Federal Protective Service and protected federal facilities
Security fee revenues remain available for building protection and FPS operations, helping support security at federally owned and leased buildings.
Fusion centers and intelligence operations
The intelligence and situational awareness account includes money that can be used for secure facility needs at fusion centers, supporting information sharing and protected workspaces.
Who is affected by H.R. 7744?
DHS leadership
Top officials face stricter oversight, more reporting duties, and a temporary withholding of funds if they do not respond to Congress on time.
Detention facility operators and managers
They are likely to face more inspections and scrutiny because the bill directs extra inspector general money toward detention oversight.
Contractors seeking DHS business
Companies involved in noncompetitive contracts may face more attention because DHS must list such awards and the inspector general must review compliance.
DHS program managers running big purchases
Officials overseeing major technology, equipment, or infrastructure buys will have to provide more detailed updates on costs, schedules, performance, and risks.
H.R. 7744 Common Questions
How much money does the DHS bill withhold until budget questions are answered?
The bill withholds $5,000,000 from the Office of the Secretary until DHS submits responses to all FY2027 budget hearing questions, according to H.R. 7744 Section 1.
How much does the DHS inspector general get for detention facility oversight in 2026?
Under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, the DHS Office of Inspector General gets $20,000,000 specifically for added detention facility inspections and oversight (Section 1).
What are the monthly DHS staffing and budget reports required by Congress?
According to H.R. 7744 Section 102, DHS must send Congress a monthly report on obligations and staffing levels no later than 30 days after each month ends.
Does the DHS funding bill require reporting on no-bid contracts and grants?
Yes. Under H.R. 7744 Section 101, DHS must report grants and contracts awarded without full and open competition by Oct. 15, 2026, and the inspector general must review them by Feb. 15, 2027.
How much does the 2026 DHS bill provide for body-worn cameras?
The bill provides $20,000,000 for body-worn cameras, and DHS must submit a spend plan within 30 days after enactment under H.R. 7744 Section 109.
What counts as a DHS pilot program under the 2026 appropriations bill?
Under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, a pilot or demonstration program means one involving more than 10 full-time employees or costing over $5,000,000 (Section 106).
Can DHS move money between programs without telling Congress?
Not above certain limits. According to H.R. 7744 Section 503, DHS must notify Congress before reprogramming funds over $5,000,000 or 10% of a program's funding.
Does the 2026 DHS appropriations bill ban a national ID card?
Yes. Under H.R. 7744 Section 514, funds may not be used to plan, test, pilot, develop, or implement a national identification card.
How much money does the 2026 DHS bill give the Nonprofit Security Grant Program?
The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 provides $300,000,000 for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program under Section 3.
Is there a limit on how many DHS employees can attend international conferences?
Yes. Under H.R. 7744 Section 521, each DHS component is generally limited to 50 employees at an international conference, with a total cost cap of $500,000.
Based on H.R. 7744 bill text
Cost & Funding
Authorization: $2,671,110,000 in specified appropriations in the text excerpt, plus security fee collections for the Federal Protective Service
- —Office of the Secretary and Executive Management operations and support: $316,295,000
- —Office of the Secretary and Executive Management procurement, construction, and improvements: $8,911,000
- —Management Directorate operations and support: $1,690,380,000
- —Management Directorate procurement, construction, and improvements: $58,106,000
- —Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness operations and support: $340,819,000
- —Office of Inspector General operations and support: $257,599,000
- —Federal Protective Service operations are also supported by security fee revenues that remain available until spent
- —Some amounts remain available through fiscal 2027 or fiscal 2028, giving DHS more time to use certain funds
HR7744 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Mar 9, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
House: Passed 221-209
Mar 5, 2026
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 209 (Roll no. 87). (text: CR H2432-2444)
+12 more actions this day
House: Passed
Mar 4, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1095 passed House.
House: Committee Action
Mar 3, 2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1095 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7744 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit allowed. Bill is closed to amendments.
House: Committee Action
Mar 2, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Tom Cole
Republican, Oklahoma's 4th congressional district · 23 years in Congress
Committees: Appropriations
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Appropriations Committee
0 of 29 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Appropriations Committee
0 of 63 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Budget Committee
0 of 37 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
68 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 7744 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 515(b) of Public Law 108-334 (49 U.S.C. 44945 note)
striking ``report'' each place it appears (including in the subsection heading) and inserting ``briefing'' and by striking ``transmit to'' and inserting ``provide''
H.R. 7744 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Appropriations
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Economics and Public Finance
- Introduced
- Mar 2, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Mar 9, 2026
H.R. 7744 Bill Text
“Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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