What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the administrative expenses necessary to operate the department for the duration of a lapse in appropriations. This includes appropriations for the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Congressional Relations. With respect to any lapse in appropriations during FY2026, DHS must use the funding provided by this bill to ensure that it performs all functions that would be performed in the absence of such a lapse, including responding to communications transmitted to DHS during the lapse by congressional offices. (There is currently a partial government shutdown in effect for DHS agencies and programs due to a lapse in FY2026 appropriations for DHS.)
Action Timeline
2026-02-20
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
2026-02-20
Introduced in House
2026-02-20
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.7617 pass?
HR.7617 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.7617 do?
This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the administrative expenses necessary to operate the department for the duration of a lapse in appropriations. This includes appropriations for the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Office of Congressional Relations. With respect to any lapse in appropriations during FY2026, DHS must use the funding provided by this bill to ensure that it performs all functions that would be performed in the absence of such a lapse, including responding to communications transmitted…
Who sponsored HR.7617?
HR.7617 was sponsored by Julie Johnson (D-Texas).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 7617 IH: 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. U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-20 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7617 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 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. 1. Continued operations of the Department of Homeland Security (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. (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.
Loading intelligence layer…