The Constituency

H.R. 7744 · Economics and Public Finance

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

Introduced Mar 2, 2026 · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

What does this mean?

This law gives the Department of Homeland Security money to operate for the rest of 2026, ending a shutdown that started in February when its previous funding ran out. It funds the agencies that guard the border and enforce immigration laws, screen airline passengers, patrol the coast, protect government leaders, respond to cyberattacks and disasters (like the agency that helps after hurricanes), process citizenship and visa applications, and train law enforcement officers. Federal workers at these agencies who missed paychecks during the shutdown will get their back pay, and the government will also cover bills and commitments it had to make during the shutdown just to keep essential safety operations running.

Read the official CRS summary on Congress.gov →

Bill Lifecycle

Real action history from Congress.gov — where this bill is in the process, and every recorded step along the way.

Introduced in House

Mar 2, 2026

Referred to Committee

Mar 2, 2026

Passed House

Mar 5, 2026

Received in Senate

Mar 9, 2026

Full action history (18)

Mar 2, 2026Referred 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.

Mar 2, 2026Introduced in House

Mar 3, 2026Rules 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.

Mar 4, 2026Rule H. Res. 1095 passed House.

Mar 5, 2026The 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, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.