hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Stops Attorney General from requiring compliance for DOJ grants.
Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and others.
Introduced in Senate, sent to committee.
This bill prevents the Attorney General from making Department of Justice grant eligibility dependent on compliance with a specific immigration law (8 U.S.C. 1373), or any presidential memoranda or Executive Orders. Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, introduced the bill along with several other senators. Its current status means it has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review and potential approval before it can move to a full Senate vote.
Introduced Feb 4, 2026
The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 4, 2026, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. For it to become law, the committee must first approve it. Then, it would need to pass a vote in the full Senate, pass a vote in the House of Representatives, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill becomes law, organizations applying for Department of Justice grants would no longer be required to comply with certain federal immigration laws (like 8 U.S.C. 1373) or presidential directives as a condition for receiving funding. This could make it easier for some entities to qualify for grants. Local programs that depend on these grants might adjust their services or policies in response to these new eligibility rules, potentially changing how they interact with federal guidelines, especially concerning immigration.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue it prevents the federal government from using grants to impose conditions on local entities.
Critics Say
Critics might argue it reduces federal power to enforce national policies through grant funding.
Supporters might emphasize that the bill protects the autonomy of state and local entities, allowing them to receive federal funding without being forced to comply with federal directives they may disagree with, particularly concerning immigration or specific presidential policies. Critics, on the other hand, could contend that the bill undermines the federal government's ability to implement and enforce national priorities, especially in areas like immigration, by limiting its power to attach conditions to federal funding.