HOUSE · HR 8206 119 CONGRESS

Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026

INTRODUCED

April 06, 2026

POLICY AREA

Economics and Public Finance

STATUS

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.

SOURCE

Congress.gov ↗

Bill Summary

The Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 8206) is a comprehensive appropriations bill that provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2026, extends continuing appropriations for other federal programs, and includes the SAVE America Act, which imposes stricter voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections. Division A allocates over $70 billion across DHS components, including $11.1 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), $10.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), $11.3 billion for the Coast Guard, $3.1 billion for the Secret Service, $2.2 billion for CISA, $1.7 billion for FEMA operations, and $26.4 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund. It funds border security technology, aviation security, cybersecurity, disaster response, and grants for first responders, tribal security, and nonprofit organizations. Administrative provisions include restrictions on reprogramming funds, requirements for monthly migrant and detention estimates, bans on new border crossing fees, and protections for pregnant individuals in custody. Division B continues existing continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown. Division C, the SAVE America Act, amends the National Voter Registration Act to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a passport, REAL ID, military ID, or birth certificate) for voter registration in federal elections and mandates photo ID for voting in person, with limited exemptions for religious objections or absent uniformed services voters. It also requires states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls using the SAVE system and mandates Election Assistance Commission guidance. The bill reflects a compromise: while it funds critical homeland security functions, it restricts certain CBP and ICE enforcement funds to zero in the explanatory statement, and includes Democratic priorities like disaster relief, cybersecurity, and election security safeguards, while incorporating Republican priorities like border security technology, voter ID requirements, and limits on executive reinterpretation of enforcement funds.

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Where Each Party Stands

MIGHT SUPPORT

+Provides substantial funding for disaster relief ($26.4 billion) and FEMA assistance programs, including grants for firefighters, emergency management, and flood hazard mapping, which are critical for climate resilience and emergency response.

+Allocates $2.2 billion for CISA operations and $426.9 million for S&T R&D, strengthening cybersecurity and technological innovation against evolving threats.

+Includes $386.5 million for CISA procurement and $330.2 million for TSA upgrades, improving infrastructure security and aviation safety.

+Funds critical first responder and tribal security grants, including $494 million for State Homeland Security Grants and $300 million for Nonprofit Security Grants, supporting vulnerable communities.

+Provides $20 million for Secret Service body-worn cameras, increasing transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.

+Contains the SAVE America Act, which, while controversial, includes provisions to prevent disenfranchisement, such as exemptions for absent uniformed services voters and religious objections to photo ID, and requires states to provide accessibility accommodations for disabled voters.

+Implements strict antideficiency controls and reprogramming restrictions, ensuring funds are used as Congress intended and preventing executive overreach.

+Allocates $123.5 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, supporting homeless individuals and families.

+Includes $272.7 million for Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending, allowing members to direct funds to local priorities.

+Requires monthly migrant and detention estimates shared with HHS, DOJ, and State, improving interagency coordination and humanitarian planning.

MIGHT OPPOSE

−The SAVE America Act imposes stringent voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements that could disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly minorities, elderly, students, and low-income individuals who lack easy access to passports, birth certificates, or REAL IDs.

−Requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration creates significant barriers to participation and may violate the spirit of the National Voter Registration Act's goal of expanding access.

−The bill funds border security and enforcement mechanisms without corresponding investments in humanitarian aid, asylum processing, or addressing root causes of migration in Central America.

−Despite funding for disaster relief, the bill does not include sufficient investments in climate change mitigation or adaptation programs within DHS or FEMA to address increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters.

−The prohibition on new border crossing fees (Sec. 204) may limit innovative funding solutions for border infrastructure and technology upgrades.

−The bill's general provisions restrict the Secretary's ability to reorganize or streamline DHS operations through reprogramming (Sec. 503), potentially locking in inefficient bureaucratic structures.

−Funds for the Coast Guard are subject to restrictions on implementing Force Design 2028 without prior briefings (Sec. 220), which could hinder modernization and readiness efforts.

−The bill does not include sufficient funding for cybersecurity workforce development or public awareness campaigns to complement technical investments.

−The SAVE America Act's reliance on the SAVE system for voter roll purges may lead to errors and unlawful removals of eligible voters, particularly naturalized citizens.

−The bill's explanatory statement nullifies certain border security and ICE funds (Sec. 4), creating legal uncertainty and potentially undermining congressional intent.

MIGHT SUPPORT

+Funds critical border security infrastructure and technology, including $222.9 million for CBP procurement and $98 million for Coast Guard MQ-9 drones, enhancing surveillance and interception capabilities.

+Implements strict voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements through the SAVE America Act, preventing noncitizen voting and protecting election integrity.

+Prohibits new border crossing fees on individuals, protecting Americans from additional costs at ports of entry.

+Includes robust oversight mechanisms, such as monthly migrant and detention estimates reported to Congress, increasing transparency in border security operations.

+Allocates significant funding for disaster relief ($26.4 billion) and FEMA grants, ensuring rapid response to natural disasters and emergencies, which benefits all states.

+Provides $30 million for Supreme Court salaries and $140 million for FAA air traffic controller pay increases, supporting judicial and transportation infrastructure.

+Contains provisions to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, including restrictions on reprogramming funds and requirements for Inspector General oversight of DHS programs.

+Funds cybersecurity ($2.2 billion for CISA operations) and aviation security ($10.6 billion for TSA), addressing critical national security threats.

+Supports first responder grants, including firefighter and emergency response programs, enhancing public safety capacity.

+Protects pregnant individuals in DHS custody by requiring implementation of maternal health standards, aligning with pro-life values.

MIGHT OPPOSE

−Funds levels for certain DHS components may be insufficient to address the scale of border security challenges, particularly given the high estimates of migrant arrivals.

−The SAVE America Act's voter ID requirements could disproportionately affect elderly, minority, and low-income voters who face barriers to obtaining photo ID or citizenship documents, despite exemptions.

−Restricts CBP and ICE enforcement funds to zero in the explanatory statement (Sec. 4), potentially undermining the intent of appropriated funds and creating confusion about actual spending authority.

−Limits the Secretary's ability to reprogram funds (Sec. 503), reducing flexibility to respond to emerging threats or operational needs during the fiscal year.

−Does not include explicit funding for a border wall or physical barriers, which many Republicans consider essential for border security.

−Prohibits the use of funds to implement Force Design 2028 for the Coast Guard without detailed briefings, potentially delaying modernization efforts.

−The bill's complex structure and multiple divisions may obscure oversight and make it difficult to track specific policy outcomes.

−Funds for intelligence activities are subject to transfer to the Management Directorate if they exceed congressional authorization (Sec. 506), potentially undermining independent intelligence analysis.

−Does not address root causes of migration, focusing instead on enforcement and detention rather than humanitarian or diplomatic solutions.

−The prohibition on first-class travel for federal employees (Sec. 516) may be seen as overly restrictive and detrimental to morale and efficiency.

History

Apr 06, 2026

Introduced in House