H.R. 7617 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Feb 20, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryFunds DHS operations during budget lapse
When Congress hasn't approved a budget and federal funding runs out, departments usually have to stop most work. This bill gives the Department of Homeland Security money to keep running during that funding gap. It specifically requires DHS to answer calls and emails from members of Congress and their offices, and it funds the staff who handle those communications.
How it affects you
If you work for DHS or rely on its services, this bill means the department can keep functioning even when there's a budget standoff in Congress. For people contacting their representatives about DHS issues, it ensures the agency will respond to congressional offices during a shutdown. Most other Americans won't notice a direct change in their daily lives.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Feb 20, 2026)
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.)
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 7617
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.
Sponsor: Rep. Julie Johnson (D-TX-32) · Introduced Feb 20, 2026 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 20, 2026: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”