Bill · H.R. 7119· House(119-HR-7119)
DHS Use of Force Oversight Act
- Introduced
- 1/15/2026
- Last activity
- 1/16/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- Sponsored by
- Delia Ramirez
- Cosponsors
- - 29 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the DHS Use of Force Oversight Act. It amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require a Department-wide policy on the use of force and deescalation for law enforcement officers and agents. The bill limits officers to using only objectively reasonable force based on the circumstances. It prohibits the use of chokeholds and carotid restraints against non-compliant persons resisting arrest. Additionally, the legislation mandates regular training, internal reviews, and public reporting on use of force incidents. Finally, it directs the Inspector General to continuously review compliance with these new rules.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this change how police departments operate?+7
The bill mandates deescalation, prohibits chokeholds, and establishes expert oversight and public reporting for DHS law enforcement.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill requires the publication of detailed use of force data and incident summaries on a public website.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+3
The bill's use of force oversight and deescalation mandates can help reduce disparate outcomes in law enforcement encounters.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-1
The requirement to publish specific incident data and circumstances may create minor privacy risks despite specified protections.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ban on Dangerous Restraints: Section 890E(a)(4) explicitly prohibits law enforcement officers and agents from using chokeholds and carotid restraints to control non-compliant persons who are resisting arrest. This protects individuals from severe physical harm or death resulting from these specific physical holds.
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Deescalation and Training: Section 890E(b) requires that the Department-wide policy clearly state that deescalation is preferred and mandates that officers complete initial and recurrent training in deescalation and use of force tactics. This benefits the public by ensuring officers are trained to calm tense situations before resorting to force.
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Public Transparency and Reporting: Section 890E(c) requires the Secretary to publish a report every six months on the Department website detailing incidents where force was used resulting in injury, death, deadly force, deployment of less-than-lethal devices or canines, kinetic impacts, or disabling fire against vessels or aircraft. This promotes accountability by keeping the public informed about how and when force is used.
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Rapid Congressional Briefings: Section 890E(c)(4) requires the Secretary to brief specific congressional committees and inform the public regarding the facts of any use of force incident that results in the hospitalization or death of an officer or a person within 24 hours. This ensures swift disclosure and accountability when severe incidents occur.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences, burdens, or harms for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+7Improves Racial Equity+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Urban Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Improves Privacy Rights-1
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/16/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/15/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
- 18 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
James WalkinshawDemocrat · Virginia