House Rules Committee approves closed rule for DHS spending bill after partisan fight over ICE and CBP funding

The House Rules Committee approved a closed rule to bring HR 77‑44, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026, to the floor after a sharp partisan debate over whether to separate funding for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection from other DHS functions.

Chairwoman Fox opened the meeting by urging quick action on DHS funding, saying the department ‘‘must be up and running’’ in light of recent geopolitical events. Ranking Member McGovern responded that he would not ‘‘give another penny to ICE or CBP,’’ calling the measure ‘‘political theater’’ while other members argued the measure was necessary to keep FEMA, TSA and the Coast Guard operational and to ensure employees are paid.

Chairman Cole, appearing as a witness from the Appropriations Committee, framed the bill as a bipartisan, bicameral compromise providing full-year funding and noted provisions he described as reforms for law enforcement such as body‑worn cameras and de‑escalation training. Ranking Member DeLauro urged the committee to adopt her alternative amendment that would replace the bill text with language from HR 74‑81 to fund uncontested DHS components while withholding ICE and CBP funding pending negotiations; she said the amendment ‘‘has a very strong chance of passing both chambers’’ if allowed on the floor.

Members questioned the approach. Rep. Neguse pressed Chairman Cole on FEMA funding and cited denied disaster declarations that left Colorado communities waiting for aid. Rep. Scott warned that removing CBP funding could ‘‘open the floodgates’’ at the border. Several Democrats tied the debate to recent U.S. military operations in Iran and the resultant strain on federal priorities.

The committee rejected the DeLauro amendment in a voice vote; a subsequent request for a recorded vote was held. The chair then moved to report a closed rule for HR 77‑44. After a roll call, the clerk reported the motion to report the rule was agreed to (recorded result reported as 7 yeas, 4 nays). The committee designated Rep. Jack as the majority manager and Miss Ledger Fernandez as the minority manager for the rule.

The committee adjourned without further amendments. The rule, as reported, waives points of order against consideration of the bill, provides that the bill be considered as read, sets one hour of debate equally divided between the chair and ranking member of Appropriations (or their designees), and allows one motion to recommit.