Timothy Kennedy (D-NY)
DHS Grants Accountability Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The DHS Grants Accountability Act aims to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and other laws regarding grant programs. It focuses on improving oversight, transparency, and stakeholder engagement for preparedness, transit, and port security grants. The bill establishes specific deadlines for making funding opportunities public. It also mandates specific timeframes for eligible recipients to submit applications. Additionally, the bill extends the period for which grant funds can be used.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates that funding opportunity notices be made public within specific timeframes and requires annual notifications to Congressional committees.
- Scored +4
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The bill provides more predictable application timelines and extended fund usability for public transportation security grants.
- Scored +3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill enhances fiscal accountability by establishing specific deadlines for publicizing funding opportunities and application periods.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Oversight and Transparency: The bill changes how funds are prioritized by requiring the Administrator to submit an annual notification to specific House and Senate committees before issuing funding opportunities (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 2).
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Predictable Application Timelines: For various grant programs, including preparedness, public transportation, railroad security, over-the-road bus security, and port security, the bill requires that the notice of funding opportunity be made public within 60 days of the enactment of the applicable appropriations Act if no other deadline is specified (Section 2, subsections a, b, 1, 2, 3, and 4).
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Guaranteed Application Windows: The bill ensures that eligible recipients have at least 30 days to submit an application after a notice of funding opportunity is made public (Section 2, subsections a, b, 1, 2, s3, and 4).
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Extended Use of Funds: For certain grant programs, the Administrator must make funds available for use by the recipient for a period of at least 54 months (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 3). Similarly, for public transportation grants, funds remain available for at least 54 months (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 1).
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Timely Risk Assessments: The bill requires risk assessment information to be provided at least 30 days before any notice of funding opportunity or program guidance is issued (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that funding opportunity notices be made public within specific timeframes and requires annual notifications to Congressional committees.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill provides more predictable application timelines and extended fund usability for public transportation security grants.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances fiscal accountability by establishing specific deadlines for publicizing funding opportunities and application periods.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The predictable application windows and extended fund usability provide greater administrative certainty for grant recipients.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill strengthens the administration of preparedness and port security grants which contribute to border security infrastructure.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Enhanced security grant administration indirectly supports the stability of the domestic environments where veterans live and work.
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 12/10/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
- 12/9/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi