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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.

3/11/2026, 10:55 PM

Summary of Bill HR 7617

H.R. 7617 in the 119th Congress, introduced on February 20, 2026, aims to allocate funding for the Department of Homeland Security's administrative expenses in the event of a lapse in appropriations during fiscal year 2026. The bill also stipulates that the Department must remain responsive to congressional offices during such a funding gap, in addition to addressing other purposes not specified in the provided context.

Congressional Summary of HR 7617

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.)

Current Status of Bill HR 7617

Bill HR 7617 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 20, 2026. Bill HR 7617 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on February 20, 2026.  Bill HR 7617's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations. as of February 20, 2026

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 7617

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 7617

Primary Policy Focus

Economics and Public Finance

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 7617

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.
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.

Comments

Walter Reilly profile image

Walter Reilly

656

22 days ago

This bill is bad for me and everyone. It gives too much power to DHS and doesn't protect our rights. We need to stop it now! #NoToHR7617 Short comment: This bill is not good. #HR7617

Clare Bridges profile image

Clare Bridges

689

5 days ago

I don't get this bill, like what even is it trying to do? Why do we need to fund this thing during a lapse in appropriations? And why does it have to be responsive to congressional offices? Can someone explain this to me? #confused #help

Desmond Cross profile image

Desmond Cross

697

22 days ago

Not a fan of how it could impact my taxes and government spending.