H.R. 7147 · 119th Congress · Became Public Law No: 119-86.
DHS Funding Bill with Border Rules, FEMA Deadlines, and FAA Pay
Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
Deep dive June 10, 2026
This bill funds the Department of Homeland Security and sets rules for how that money can be spent. It bans new fees at land border crossings, tightens FEMA grant deadlines, and adds $140 million for air traffic controller pay. It also adds oversight steps for no-bid contracts, sets limits on restraining pregnant detainees, and requires monthly border arrival estimates.
What to know
- The bill bans any new fee for crossing the U.S.-Mexico or U.S.-Canada border on foot, by bike, or in a private vehicle.
- FEMA must post grant applications within 60 days or lose $100,000 per late day from its own operating budget.
- The bill adds $140 million for a 3.8 percent pay raise for air traffic controllers, but only if the FAA Administrator first certifies real operational improvements.
- Pregnant women in DHS custody cannot be restrained during labor or delivery, and restraints at any other time require official or medical approval.
- Individuals may bring up to a 90-day supply of a personal-use prescription drug from Canada, but the rule does not cover controlled substances, biologics, or business importers.
- DHS must produce monthly estimates of expected southwest border arrivals, or lose the ability to move money between its budget accounts until it complies.
Heads up
7 buried provisions
Provisions we flagged do not match the bill's stated purpose, or repeat language from bills that did not pass on their own.
Zeroing out Border Security Operations funding via explanatory statement (Section 4)
Why we flagged this
This clause looks technical but has a huge effect. It says the funding amounts listed for Border Security Operations and for Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall all be zero. It also says the related explanatory text has no force. This is buried in a section about an explanatory statement, not in the main funding tables.
Show the exact bill text
the contents printed under the headings ``U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement'' and ``Border Security Operations'' under the heading ``U.S. Customs and Border Protection'' shall have no force or effect for purposes of this Act, and amounts specified in the ``Final Bill'' column under the sub-heading ``Border Security Operations'' under the heading ``U.S. Customs and Border Protection'' and under the heading ``U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement'' in the ``Department of Homeland Security Act, 2026'' table shall all be $0.
Block on moving money to Border Security Operations (Section 549)
Why we flagged this
This short line at the end of the DHS division blocks any transfer of funds into Border Security Operations. Paired with Section 4, it locks that account at zero. A reader could easily miss it because it sits near the end of general provisions.
Show the exact bill text
Notwithstanding section 503(c) of this Act, no amounts may be transferred to ``U.S. Customs and Border Protection--Operations and Support'' for Border Security Operations in the ``Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026'' table of the explanatory statement regarding this Act, as defined in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act).
Retroactive coverage of the February 2026 shutdown gap (Division B, Sections 102 and 103)
Why we flagged this
This short provision quietly treats the past shutdown period as if it were covered by the continuing resolution. It also says back pay shall be made. This has large fiscal and legal effects but is easy to miss in a two-line section.
Show the exact bill text
For the purposes of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (division A of Public Law 119-37), the time covered by such Act shall be considered to include the period which began on or about February 14, 2026, during which there occurred a lapse in appropriations.
Pay raise for air traffic controllers inside a homeland security bill (Section 548)
Why we flagged this
The bill's title is about homeland security and continuing appropriations. This section adds $140 million for the FAA and sets a 3.8 percent pay raise for air traffic controllers. It is unrelated to homeland security. The raise also depends on the FAA Administrator's sole judgment about efficiency gains.
Show the exact bill text
There is appropriated $140,000,000 for an additional amount for ``Department of Transportation--Federal Aviation Administration--Operations'' for air traffic organization activities... the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall only use such amounts to provide a rate of pay increase for calendar year 2026 of 3.8 percent, for air traffic controllers... Provided further, That such adjustment shall be implemented for all such employees only to the extent the Administrator determines, in his sole discretion, that improvements in workforce scheduling, staffing utilization, or other operational efficiencies are achieved
Extra $30 million for the Supreme Court (Section 547)
Why we flagged this
This adds $30 million for Supreme Court salaries and expenses. It sits inside a homeland security appropriations division. The funding does not relate to homeland security.
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In addition to amounts otherwise made available for such purposes, there is appropriated $30,000,000, for an additional amount for ``The Judiciary--Supreme Court of the United States--Salaries and Expenses'', to remain available until September 30, 2028
Sole-discretion trigger for the FAA pay raise (Section 548)
Why we flagged this
The pay raise only happens if the FAA Administrator decides, alone, that vague goals like 'operational efficiencies' are achieved. There are no defined measures. This vague test controls a large pay change for a federal workforce.
Show the exact bill text
such adjustment shall be implemented for all such employees only to the extent the Administrator determines, in his sole discretion, that improvements in workforce scheduling, staffing utilization, or other operational efficiencies are achieved that contribute to addressing workforce shortfalls and enhancing aviation safety
Ratification of obligations made during the shutdown (Division B, Section 104)
Why we flagged this
This line approves all obligations agencies made during the funding lapse if they were for 'essential' activity or 'orderly termination' or 'otherwise authorized by law.' Those terms are broad. It blesses past spending without listing what was spent.
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All obligations incurred and in anticipation of the appropriations made and authority granted by division A of the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 and the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (division A of Public Law 119-37) for the purposes of maintaining the essential level of activity to protect life and property and bringing about orderly termination of Government function, and for purposes as otherwise authorized by law, are hereby ratified and approved if otherwise in accord with the provisions of such Acts.
Section by section
Reporting requirements for DHS grants and contracts not using open competition
Section 101 creates a two-step oversight process for Department of Homeland Security contracts and grants. First, the Secretary of Homeland Security must send a report by October 15, 2026, listing every grant or contract awarded in fiscal years 2025 or 2026 without a full and open bidding process. Second, the Inspector General must review that report and check whether the department followed the law. The Inspector General must then send findings to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by February 15, 2027.
The Department of Homeland Security and its contractors or grant recipients. The Inspector General and Congress also play roles in the review process.
This creates more transparency about no-bid contracts, but it adds reporting work for department staff and the Inspector General.
Show the exact bill text
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report not later than October 15, 2026, to the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security listing all grants and contracts awarded by any means other than full and open competition during fiscal years 2025 or 2026.
Ban on new border crossing fees at land ports
This section stops the Department of Homeland Security from creating or charging any new fee to cross the U.S. southern or northern border at a land port of entry. It covers pedestrians, cyclists, and people in private vehicles. The department also cannot study or plan such a fee while this law is in effect. The ban starts on the day the law is signed.
Anyone who crosses the U.S.-Mexico or U.S.-Canada border on foot, by bike, or in a private vehicle at a land port. It also limits what the Department of Homeland Security can study or propose.
The ban protects border crossers from a new fee, but it also prevents the government from exploring a revenue source that could help pay for border operations.
Show the exact bill text
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall not-- (1) establish, collect, or otherwise impose any new border crossing fee on individuals crossing the Southern border or the Northern border at a land port of entry; or (2) conduct any study relating to the imposition of a border crossing fee.
Importing prescription drugs from Canada for personal use
Section 227 says no money from this bill can be used to stop an individual from bringing a prescription drug into the United States from Canada. The drug must follow U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules. The person must be carrying it on their body for personal use only. The amount allowed is no more than a 90-day supply. This protection does not apply to controlled substances or biological products. It also does not apply to businesses that import drugs.
Individual travelers who carry personal-use prescription drugs across the U.S.-Canada border. It does not apply to drug importers acting as businesses.
The provision lets individuals save money by buying drugs from Canada, but it does not cover controlled substances or biologics, and it sets no safety inspection requirements beyond FDA compliance.
Show the exact bill text
None of the funds made available in this Act for U.S. Customs and Border Protection may be used to prevent an individual not in the business of importing a prescription drug...from importing a prescription drug from Canada that complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: Provided, That this section shall apply only to individuals transporting on their person a personal-use quantity of the prescription drug, not to exceed a 90-day supply
FEMA grant deadlines and financial penalties
Section 303 sets strict deadlines for FEMA homeland security grants. FEMA must post grant applications within 60 days of this law passing. After that, applicants have 80 days to submit their applications. FEMA then has 65 days to act on each application. If FEMA misses the 60-day posting deadline, it loses $100,000 from its operating budget for every day it is late. That money is taken from the Mission Support portion of FEMA's budget.
FEMA, which faces budget cuts if it misses deadlines. State, local, and tribal grant applicants, who benefit from timely access to grant applications.
Strict deadlines help grant applicants plan ahead, but the financial penalty reduces FEMA's own operating funds if the agency falls behind.
Show the exact bill text
Applications for grants under the heading ``Federal Emergency Management Agency--Federal Assistance'', for paragraphs (1) through (5), shall be made available to eligible applicants not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, eligible applicants shall submit applications not later than 80 days after the grant announcement, and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall act within 65 days after the receipt of an application.
FEMA grant training pause restrictions
Section 314 limits how FEMA can use its money. No funds from this law can be used to pause a training program or a grant funded under FEMA Federal Assistance. There is an exception. The Secretary of Homeland Security can pause a training or grant, but must tell the House and Senate Appropriations Committees at least 10 business days before doing so. That notice must explain the reason for the pause, how any missed classes will be made up, and the cost impact. The Secretary can skip the 10-day notice only in an emergency that immediately threatens human life or property.
FEMA, which runs the training and grant programs. Also state and local groups that receive FEMA training and grants.
Congress gets advance notice and oversight of pauses, but speed is reduced in non-emergency situations.
Show the exact bill text
None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be used to pause a training or grant funded under the heading ``Federal Emergency Management Agency--Federal Assistance''.
Limits on restraining pregnant women in DHS custody
Section 527 says that money from this Act cannot be used to put restraints on a pregnant woman held by the Department of Homeland Security. This covers transport, detention facilities, and outside medical visits. There are two exceptions. First, a DHS official can approve restraints if the woman is a serious flight risk that cannot be controlled another way, or if she poses an immediate threat to herself or others that cannot be controlled another way. Second, a medical professional can approve restraints for the woman's own medical safety. Even when restraints are allowed, only the safest and least restrictive type may be used. No restraints are allowed during active labor or delivery. A pregnant woman cannot be held face-down in four-point restraints, on her back, or in a belt that tightens around her belly. If she must be immobilized, she should be positioned on her left side as much as possible.
Pregnant women held in DHS custody, including those in immigration detention. It also affects DHS officials and medical staff who decide when restraints may be used.
The section protects the health of pregnant detainees but limits DHS officers' tools for managing flight risk or safety threats, relying instead on case-by-case official and medical judgments.
Show the exact bill text
none of the funds made available in this Act may be used to place restraints on a woman in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (including during transport, in a detention facility, or at an outside medical facility) who is pregnant or in post-delivery recuperation.
Monthly border arrival estimates required
Section 537 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to produce monthly estimates of how many migrants are expected to arrive at the southwest border. The estimates must cover the current year and the next year. They must break down numbers by group: single adults, family units, and unaccompanied children. Each estimate must go through an independent review. The Secretary must share these estimates with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and State, the Attorney General, and the congressional appropriations committees. The estimates must also be included in budget requests sent to Congress. If the Secretary fails to provide the required estimates, the Department loses its authority to move money between accounts until the estimates are delivered.
The Department of Homeland Security and its budget process are directly affected. The estimates are also shared with other federal agencies and Congress.
Congress gains more detailed planning data and oversight, but the Department faces suspended budget flexibility if it misses the monthly reporting requirement.
Show the exact bill text
If the monthly estimates described in subsection (b) are not provided for the purposes described, the reprogramming and transfer authority provided in section 503 of this Act shall be suspended until such time as the required estimates are provided to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Pay raise for air traffic controllers
This section adds $140 million for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The money must be used only for one purpose: a 3.8 percent pay raise in 2026 for air traffic controllers and their supervisors or managers who handle air traffic. There is a condition. The FAA Administrator must first decide, on his own judgment, that the agency has made real improvements in scheduling workers, using staff more efficiently, or other operational gains that help fix staffing shortages and improve safety. If he makes that decision, the pay raise takes effect starting with the first pay period after January 1, 2026. The funds stay available through September 30, 2027.
Air traffic controllers and their supervisors or managers who directly manage air traffic at the FAA.
Workers get a pay raise, but only if the FAA Administrator first decides that real operational improvements have been made, so the raise is not guaranteed.
Show the exact bill text
That the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall only use such amounts to provide a rate of pay increase for calendar year 2026 of 3.8 percent, for air traffic controllers... Provided further, That such adjustment shall be implemented for all such employees only to the extent the Administrator determines, in his sole discretion, that improvements in workforce scheduling, staffing utilization, or other operational efficiencies are achieved
Citations
- Congress.gov bill text: link (retrieved 2026-06-10)
Public record
Below is the official voting record from Congress.gov. It is not our analysis.
Source: Congress.gov
This bill has no recorded roll-call vote yet. A roll-call vote records how each member voted by name.
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