This bill allocates \$20,466,000 for the Committee on Homeland Security's expenses in the 119th Congress, divided equally between the sessions of 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with spending regulated by the House Administration Committee.
Mark Green
Representative
TN-7
This bill allocates \$20,466,000 from the House of Representatives' funds to cover the expenses of the Committee on Homeland Security during the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, including staff salaries. It divides the funds into two equal amounts available for the first and second sessions of Congress. Payments must be made through vouchers signed by the Chairman and approved by the House Administration Committee, adhering to their regulations. All funds must be spent in accordance with the rules set by the House Administration Committee.
Homeland Security Committee Gets $20.47M Budget for 119th Congress: Funds Split Over Two Years
The House just greenlit over $20 million in funding for the Committee on Homeland Security, ensuring it can cover its operating costs through the 119th Congress. This isn't extra cash—it's the budget to keep the lights on, pay staff, and handle all the committee's expenses, from investigations to hearings.
Funding the Watchdogs
The bill, officially titled Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Homeland Security in the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, sets aside a total of $20,466,000. This money is earmarked for everything the committee needs to function, including salaries for the people working there (SEC. 1). It's not a one-time payout; the funds are split evenly for each year of the session. That means $10,233,000 is available from January 3, 2025, to January 3, 2026, and another $10,233,000 from January 3, 2026, to January 3, 2027 (SEC. 2). Think of it like budgeting for a two-year project—you don't blow it all at once.
Show Me the Receipts: Spending Rules
To get any of this money, the Committee has to follow a strict process. Payments are made using vouchers—basically, official requests for payment—that need the Chairman's signature. But it doesn't stop there. The House Administration Committee has to approve these vouchers, too, making sure everything lines up with their procedures (SEC. 3). Every dollar spent has to follow the rules laid down by the House Administration Committee (SEC. 4). This is like having to submit expense reports that get double-checked to make sure everything's on the up-and-up.
Keeping it Legit
This setup ensures the Committee on Homeland Security has the resources to do its job, which includes overseeing the Department of Homeland Security and handling legislation related to national security. The two-year budget split helps with planning and prevents overspending in a single year. While the system is designed to keep spending in check, effective oversight is vital. If those in charge of the purse strings don’t do their due diligence, there’s always the potential for things to go sideways. But, with the proper checks and balances, this funding allows the committee to carry out its essential functions.