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Congress·Passed House·H.R. 7744

Congress Proposes $26 Billion for Disaster Relief and New Rules for Border Security in 2026 Budget

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

Also known as: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026

Part of: SAVE America Act and DHS Funding Standoff

Scheduled for House Floor Vote

This bill is on the House floor schedule this week pursuant to a rule.

Legislative Progress

House

221209

Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill provides the money needed to run the Department of Homeland Security for the 2026 budget year. It includes billions of dollars for agencies like the Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and the TSA to keep their daily operations running.

    From policy text

    Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
    View in full text
  • A major part of the plan sets aside $26.3 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund. This money helps FEMA respond to major emergencies like hurricanes, wildfires, or floods and provides grants to help communities rebuild after a disaster.

    From policy text

    For necessary expenses in carrying out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $26,367,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount shall be for major disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and is designated by the Congress as being for disaster relief pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget.
    View in full text
  • The policy includes rules for people traveling across the border. It prevents the government from charging new fees for people or cars crossing land borders and allows individuals to bring up to a 90-day supply of certain prescription drugs from Canada for personal use.

    From policy text

    Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall not-- (1) establish, collect, or otherwise impose any new border crossing fee on individuals crossing the Southern border or the Northern border at a land port of entry; or (2) conduct any study relating to the imposition of a border crossing fee.
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  • To improve transparency, the bill provides $20 million for body-worn cameras for agents performing enforcement duties. It also clarifies that high-ranking government officials, including Members of Congress, must go through the same TSA security screenings as regular passengers at the airport.

    From policy text

    For an additional amount for ``Office of the Secretary and Executive Management--Operations and Support--Office of the Secretary'', $20,000,000, for the procurement, deployment, and operations of body-worn cameras for agents and officers performing enforcement activities under 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.
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  • The bill funds several grant programs that help local areas. This includes $300 million to help nonprofits and houses of worship protect themselves against attacks, and over $680 million for local fire departments to hire staff and buy equipment.

    From policy text

    $684,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2027, of which $342,000,000 shall be for Assistance to Firefighter Grants and $342,000,000 shall be for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants under sections 33 and 34 respectively of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229 and 2229a).
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Political Response

Milestones

4 milestones18 actions
Mar 9, 2026Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Mar 5, 2026House

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 7744.

Mar 5, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Mar 5, 2026House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 209 (Roll no. 87). (text: CR H2432-2444)

Mar 5, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 209 (Roll no. 87). (text: CR H2432-2444)

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Upon enactment (timing uncertain given committee stage)

DHS begins operating under FY2026 funding levels

All DHS agencies—CBP, ICE, FEMA, TSA, Coast Guard, Secret Service—receive their full-year budgets, ending reliance on continuing resolutions. Disaster relief, grant programs, and enforcement operations can proceed at planned levels.

60 days after enactment

FEMA security grant applications open within 60 days of enactment

State and local governments, nonprofits, transit agencies, and fire departments can apply for billions in security and preparedness grants including $300M for nonprofit security, $584M for urban area security, and $684M for firefighter grants.

Retroactive to first pay period after January 1, 2026, if Administrator certifies workforce improvements

FAA air traffic controllers receive 3.8% pay increase

Approximately 14,000+ air traffic controllers would receive a meaningful pay boost, helping address chronic staffing shortfalls that have strained the aviation system and affected flight delays nationwide.

Vote Results

2 votes
HouseFailedProceduralMar 5, 2026

On Motion to Recommit

212
217
Democrat
2121 · 1
Republican
0216 · 2
View full roll call
HousePassedPassageMar 5, 2026

On Passage

221
209
Democrat
4209 · 1
Republican
2170 · 1
View full roll call

621 Articles

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Related Bills

6 bills

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

Bill NumberHR 7744
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.