Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill with bipartisan support:

“The House passed this bill because it delivers results,” said Congressman Cuellar. “It is not perfect, but it imposes real oversight, secures real funding, and produces real outcomes for our communities.

“As Ranking Member and as the representative of 280 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, I focused on putting guardrails on the Department and directing resources where they are needed.

“The bill includes $513 million to maintain a strong Border Patrol workforce by sustaining approximately 22,000 agents on the ground, ensuring consistent staffing levels and operational readiness along the border. It also provides $84 million to support workforce care and suicide prevention efforts, along with $35 million for Border Patrol overtime pay to ensure agents have the support and flexibility needed to do their jobs. In addition, it provides $11.8 billion for the Transportation Security Administration to protect travelers and secure our aviation system.

“It also provides $2.6 billion for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including $763 million dedicated to cyber operations such as vulnerability management, threat detection, and capacity building to defend critical infrastructure against growing cyber threats.

“In total, the bill delivers $32 billion for FEMA, an increase of $4.7 billion over last year, to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, and recovery nationwide. This includes $26.4 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover after major disasters and emergencies.

“The bill also invests $3.8 billion in grants, training, and exercises for firefighters, first responders, and emergency managers. Within that funding, it provides $684 million for firefighter hiring, training, and equipment through Assistance to Firefighters and SAFER grants, $300 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to protect houses of worship and other at-risk organizations, and $85.5 million for Operation Stonegarden to enhance coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement along the border.

“It includes funding for firefighter hiring, training, and equipment, nonprofit security grants, and port and border security.

“This is what governing looks like,” Congressman Cuellar continued. “Passing this bipartisan compromise ensures these investments and oversight measures take effect. The alternative would have delivered none of them.”

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Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.

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