DHS Use of Force Oversight Act

Sponsor: Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic-IL)January 15, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

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.

Requires federal agents to follow new use of force rules and bans chokeholds.

Federal agents within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would operate under a new, clear use of force policy. This policy would ban chokeholds and neck holds, focus on calming situations, and make details about serious incidents public. This means clearer rules and more transparency for how federal agents interact with people.

What Would Change

Currently, there isn't a single, comprehensive use of force policy across all Department of Homeland Security agencies with specific rules for deescalation or detailed public reporting. If this bill becomes law, DHS would have a unified policy, mandatory deescalation training, and would regularly publish detailed reports on use of force incidents, including immediate public notice for serious events.

Key Provisions

Requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a single use of force policy for all its law enforcement agents.
Bans chokeholds and carotid restraints for DHS law enforcement officers and agents.
Mandates that DHS law enforcement officers and agents receive initial and ongoing training in deescalation and use of force tactics.
Requires DHS to publish reports every six months detailing use of force incidents, including those causing injury or death.
Requires DHS to inform the public and Congress within 24 hours of any use of force incident resulting in hospitalization or death.
Requires each DHS component with law enforcement to designate an expert to ensure policy compliance and maintain a use of force review council.

View on Congress.gov

HR 7119 · 119th Congress · January 15, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10

DHS Use of Force Oversight Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity