Senate passes budget resolution kicking off reconciliation 2.0 to fund DHS and CBP

Key Takeaways

UPDATE - 4.23.26
•    On Wednesday April 23 the Senate passed S. Con. Res. 33 via vote 50-48 to adopt a budget blueprint for legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol (CBP) via Senate reconciliation budgetary process.  

On April 21, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a party-line reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement and funding for agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution is the first step in a two-part process aimed at producing final legislation by June 1. 

For counties, this proposal is significant as it impacts federal agencies that directly support local governments, including emergency management, disaster response and coordination with local law enforcement. 
Senate Republicans are expected to consider and adopt the budget resolution this week. If adopted, the resolution would allow lawmakers to use the budget reconciliation process to advance funding legislation with a simple majority vote in the U.S. Senate. 

What is the budget reconciliation process? 
Budget reconciliation is a legislative process that allows Congress to advance tax and spending legislation with a simple majority vote in the Senate. Reconciliation bills are not subject to the Senate filibuster. 
The process generally includes: 
•    Congress adopts a budget resolution with instructions to committees  
•    Committees draft legislation and submit it to the Budget Committee  
•    The legislation is packaged into a single bill  
•    The House and Senate debate and vote  
•    Differences are resolved before the bill is sent to the president  

What is included in the Senate budget resolution? 
The resolution directs the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to draft legislation and submit text by May 15. It sets spending ceilings of up to $70 billion for each committee. 
The legislation is expected to prioritize funding for: 
•    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  
•    U.S. Border Patrol  
•    Other DHS immigration enforcement operations  

For counties, these funding decisions may affect local law enforcement coordination, detention systems and intergovernmental partnerships with federal agencies. 

At the same time, broader DHS funding discussions remain critical for counties, particularly for programs such as: 
•    FEMA disaster assistance, including Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs  
•    Emergency preparedness, cybersecurity and infrastructure protection programs.

For counties, DHS funding also supports critical cybersecurity efforts. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides local governments with technical assistance, information sharing, reporting tools and free threat assessments to help protect county systems and infrastructure. In addition, the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLGCP) plays a key role in helping counties strengthen their digital security by providing dedicated funding for cybersecurity planning, training and infrastructure improvements. Reauthorization and continued funding for SLGCP remain a priority for county governments. Any disruption or delay in DHS funding could impact counties’ ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from both physical and cyber threats. 

Next steps 
As appropriation subcommittees begin to convene and develop budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, NACo will be advocating for county priorities and meeting with congressional offices to ensure core county programs and services are funded.