H.R.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.

Introduced·2/20/26
Introduced

H. R. 7617

Introduced in House · March 10, 2026

February 20, 2026

Ms. Johnson of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations

A BILL

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.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Continued operations of the Department of Homeland Security.

  1. (a) Administrative expenses.—In the case of a lapse in appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security there are appropriated such amounts as may be necessary for administrative expenses necessary for the operation of the Department for the duration of the lapse in appropriations, including the Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Congressional Relations.
  2. (b) Continued operation.—With respect to any lapse in appropriations occurring during fiscal year 2026, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, using amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), ensure that the Department performs all functions that the Department would perform in the absence of such a lapse, including responding to communications transmitted to the Department during such lapse by congressional offices.