What This Bill Does
This bill would place a moratorium on certain Department of Homeland Security contracts that involve surveillance and data analytics technologies until public audits and reporting requirements are completed. It would mainly affect DHS procurement decisions, contractors that sell monitoring or analytics tools, and the people whose data or movements could be subject to those systems. The goal is to slow new deployments until Congress and the public can better assess how these technologies are being used. The bill does not create a new benefit program or direct payment; instead, it uses a contracting freeze and transparency requirements as the main enforcement tools.
- Creates a moratorium on certain DHS contracts for surveillance and data analytics technologies.
- Conditions future contracting on public audits before implementation moves forward.
- Applies to Department of Homeland Security procurement, not a direct public benefit program.
- Requires reporting so Congress and the public can review how the technologies are used.
Who This Bill Affects
For most people, this bill would not change taxes, benefits, or daily federal services directly. Its main effect would be to slow or block some DHS surveillance and data-analytics contracts until audits and reporting are completed, which could mean fewer new monitoring tools in immigration, border, airport, or security settings. If you are someone whose data might be collected or analyzed by DHS systems, the bill could provide stronger oversight and more transparency before those tools expand.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- civil-liberties advocates They argue DHS surveillance tools can expand quietly without enough transparency, making it hard to judge whether they are accurate, lawful, or disproportionately harmful. A pause for audits gives the public a chance to see how the systems work before they spread further.
- privacy-conscious travelers and immigrants People who interact with DHS agencies often have little visibility into what data is collected and how it is analyzed. Supporters say stronger reporting can reduce misuse and help protect against unfair or error-prone automated decisions.
- oversight-minded lawmakers They contend federal technology purchases should be subject to basic public accountability, especially when the tools can affect searches, investigations, and enforcement. A moratorium pressures DHS to justify contracts instead of moving first and explaining later.
- homeland security officials They may argue that surveillance and analytics tools help identify threats, prioritize limited resources, and support border and transportation security. A contracting pause could delay systems agencies consider important for operations and investigations.
- technology vendors They may object that a moratorium creates procurement uncertainty and slows business with DHS, even for products that may comply with existing law. Companies also may say audits can be done without freezing contracts across the board.
- security-focused border and law-enforcement stakeholders They are likely to warn that delaying new analytics tools can reduce DHS effectiveness at detecting fraud, tracking risk, and responding to evolving threats. In their view, oversight should not come at the cost of operational readiness.
Key Implications
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““enact a moratorium on certain Department of Homeland Security contracts””
This would temporarily stop some DHS procurement activity, which can delay new surveillance-related systems from being purchased or deployed.
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““use and implementation of surveillance and data analytics technologies””
The bill focuses on technologies that collect, process, or analyze large amounts of information, which can affect people in airports, border settings, investigations, and other DHS contexts.
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““pending public audits””
Future contracts would be tied to audits that are meant to make the government explain what the technology does, how it is used, and whether it is justified.
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““reporting requirements””
DHS would have to provide formal reports before the moratorium can be lifted, increasing transparency for Congress and the public.
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““and for other purposes””
This is standard legislative language indicating the bill may also include related administrative or oversight provisions beyond the main moratorium.
Latest Status
June 15, 2026
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.