The House of Representatives has passed H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for 2026, by a vote of 221 to 209. This marks the second time that the legislation, which aims to provide full funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has cleared the House.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) commented on the passage, saying, “The Constitution places the safety and security of the American people at the center of the federal government’s responsibilities. It is a duty I don’t take lightly. Amidst rising global tensions and natural disaster possibilities, jeopardizing security operations and emergency preparedness is the last thing anyone should be doing. Yet, Democrats have kept the Department of Homeland Security shuttered for weeks – and again voted to keep it that way.
“They are actively choosing to deny resources to the very people responsible for protecting the American homeland. Cybersecurity operations are at limited capacity, as adversaries like Iran, Russia, and China seek to exploit infrastructure vulnerabilities. Training for first responders has been canceled. FEMA grants – utilized by state and local entities to ensure safety and combat terrorism – can’t be accessed. TSA officers are being forced to work through the shutdown while missing paychecks. Coast Guard men and women – including those in harm’s way in Bahrain – are completing missions without full resources behind them. Even security preparations to keep attendees safe at the America 250 celebrations, the FIFA World Cup, the LA 2028 Olympics, and more face disruption. These impacts are not political or hyperbole – they are the direct cost of Democrats’ decision to play politics with the safeguards of this country.”
“My priority is serving and protecting the American people, which is why I voted again today to pass bipartisan, bicameral, full-year DHS funding. No selective resourcing – full operational funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the personnel who stand watch over this nation every day. Despite bipartisan majorities in both chambers, Senate Democrats continue to hold this funding hostage. Shielding the homeland should never be treated as a political bargaining chip.”
Tom Cole currently serves as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations according to information from its official website. The committee oversees drafting all twelve annual spending bills that allocate federal funds across government operations and influences policy through passing key funding legislation such as appropriations acts like this one (source). As chairman—the forty-third person in this role—Cole guides decisions on project funding requests included in appropriations bills (source).
Other notable members on this committee include Republican Harold Rogers and Democrat Steny Hoyer (source).
