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.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to receive funding to cover its basic administrative and operational costs if the federal government experiences a shutdown — meaning Congress fails to pass a budget and regular government funding runs out — during the 2026 fiscal year. Essentially, it would act as a financial safety net specifically for DHS, keeping the department running even when normal appropriations lapse.

A key feature of the bill is a transparency and communication requirement: during any government shutdown, DHS would be obligated to remain responsive to members of Congress and their offices. This means congressional staff and elected representatives would still be able to get answers and assistance from DHS even while regular government operations are disrupted. This provision appears designed to ensure that lawmakers can still perform their oversight duties and help constituents with DHS-related issues — such as immigration cases, disaster assistance, or security concerns — during a shutdown.

The bill would affect DHS employees, whose jobs and pay could be protected during a funding lapse, as well as members of the public who rely on DHS services. It would also affect members of Congress by guaranteeing their ability to communicate with the department on behalf of their constituents. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations, which is the standard first step in the legislative process, and has not yet been voted on.