Torres Slams Homeland Security Funding Bill That Slashes FEMA, Cybersecurity, and Veterans
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) condemned the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations bill during a full committee markup, calling it “dangerous, cruel, and a threat to public safety, constitutional rights, and national security.” Torres blasted House Republicans for gutting FEMA, slashing cybersecurity funding, and enabling violent immigration enforcement tactics that have led to the wrongful detention and deportation of immigrants, veterans, and even U.S. citizens.
This past January, the Los Angeles area faced devastating wildfires. Thousands of families lost their homes, hundreds of business owners lost their businesses, and there has been serious damage to roads, schools, and more.And since that time, more major disaster declarations have piled up. Since January, there have been 25 major disaster declarations by FEMA. Natural disasters don’t look at state boundaries or political representatives- and when it comes to helping Americans in desperate need, we shouldn’t either.
“This bill isn’t about safety — it’s about playing politics with people’s lives,” said Torres. “It dismantles disaster response, leaves our critical infrastructure vulnerable to cyberattacks, and bankrolls the unconstitutional targeting of communities like mine. From the wildfires in California to ICE raids on our streets, this bill cuts where we can least afford it and prioritizes cruelty over security.”
Torres also warned that the bill cripples the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) just as the nation faces escalating threats from Iran and other adversaries. She announced the introduction of the Protecting America’s Cybersecurity Act to restore vital funding and staffing at CISA.
Her due process for veterans amendment, would ensure that noncitizen veterans are not deported without access to legal representation. Non-citizen veterans can enlist in the military if they are legally residing in the United States. That means they chose to defend a country that isn’t their birthplace. They weren’t born here, but they believed in America enough to fight for it. That is a powerful act of loyalty and they should be given due process.
To address key gaps in the bill, Torres introduced three amendments:
-
Amendment #1: Provides $16.8 billion in emergency FEMA funding to help communities recover from major disasters in 2025, including wildfires, floods, and tornadoes across at least 13 states.
-
Amendment #2: Blocks any funding from being used to dismantle or undermine the Flores Settlement Agreement, which protects children in immigration custody with basic standards like safe conditions and limits on detention time.
-
Amendment #3: Prohibits the deportation of non-citizen U.S. military veterans without legal counsel and a fair hearing, and requires DHS to report on veteran deportation cases. Torres highlighted the recent deportation of Purple Heart Army veteran Sae Joon Park as a devastating example of injustice.
Torres urged her colleagues to reject the bill and support amendments that restore public safety, protect children and veterans, and uphold the Constitution.
###