Congressman Carter Introduces Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026. This legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit reports every three years on how cities transition after losing eligibility for anti-terrorism funding under the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program.
UASI funding provides first responders in cities targeted by terrorists with vital tools, resources, and training to do their jobs safely and effectively. Cities like New Orleans credit UASI funding for helping to create programs and initiatives to strengthen their core capabilities to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks. In recent years, UASI has experienced funding cuts, and multiple cities have been excluded from the program. This legislation is intended to provide Congress with additional insight into the security needs of communities that miss out on UASI funding.
“The Bourbon Street attack was an unspeakable act of violence and is forever seared in Louisianians memories,” said Rep. Carter. “This legislation would help cities targeted by bad actors to maintain their preparedness against terrorism, even if Federal funding isn’t available. It also gives Congress the information we need to monitor at-risk communities when cities like New Orleans are removed from the UASI program.”
In FY 2025, the Trump administration attempted to exclude historically funded cities like New Orleans from the UASI program, a move ultimately thwarted by a court ruling and the Trump administration’s withdrawal of an appeal. This attempted exclusion was especially concerning given the major events New Orleans must securing, such as Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl. The danger of leaving these cities without guaranteed Federal support is not theoretical; the Trump administration attempted to strip New Orleans of UASI funding the very same year it suffered the horrific 2025 New Year’s Day attack, where a terrorist drove a truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring dozens more.
“When a community suddenly loses Federal support, it should not be left struggling to maintain the security capabilities it relies on to protect against terrorism,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Carter to help Congress keep a closer watch on these funding cuts and make sure communities are not left behind.”
Even the threat of losing Federal support places an unsustainable burden on local governments, which lack the resources to independently fund the extensive security required for these high-profile gatherings. When cities are abruptly removed from the UASI program, their security capabilities are immediately compromised, underscoring the need for an ongoing Federal partnership to maintain essential protections.
“UASI acts as one of the critical funding tools provided to local law enforcement by the Federal government. The MCCA applauds Congressman Troy Carter for his efforts to ensure jurisdictions are prepared when these funds are no longer available to them, and is proud to endorse the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act. MCCA looks forward to working with the Committee on Homeland Security on a bipartisan basis to enact this critical legislation,” said Laura Cooper, Executive Director, Major Cities Chief Association.
Background:
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks made clear that U.S. urban centers could be targeted in the future and that cities did not have the resources to develop core capabilities to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks and other catastrophic events on their own. Starting in 2003, cities across the nation began receiving dedicated counterterrorism grant funding from DHS through the UASI grant program.
The Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026 builds on previous efforts to address the potential degradation of critical security capabilities that occur when cities lose UASI funding. Section 7102 of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) required DHS to survey cities impacted by the sudden loss of UASI funding and submit a one-time report proposing how the Federal Government could provide multi-year transition assistance to urban areas losing their UASI eligibility. However, without ongoing tracking, Congress lacks necessary data to monitor these vulnerable communities once a city is removed from the UASI program.
The Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act is endorsed by Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), and the National League of Cities (NLC).
Full text of the bill can be found here.
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