In spite of the Trump administration‘s aggressive push to slash the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency‘s budget by $495 million, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security approved only a modest $135 million reduction in an 8-4 vote, cutting CISA’s fiscal 2026 funding from $2.83 billion to $2.7 billion.
The administration’s original proposal sought to eliminate 1,083 positions out of 3,732 total roles, reducing CISA’s workforce by nearly one-third as part of the broader Department of Government Efficiency initiative. The cuts aimed to reshape CISA’s mission by consolidating or eliminating efforts the administration characterized as overreach, particularly election security and anti-disinformation campaigns.
Lawmakers from both parties demanded detailed justification for the proposed reductions, citing escalating cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure from adversaries like China. Recent data shows that cyberattack costs could reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, raising concerns about national security implications. Critics questioned the rationale for such extensive cuts, noting that CISA’s disinformation budget represents less than one percent of the agency’s total funding.
Bipartisan lawmakers questioned cutting an agency when disinformation programs cost less than one percent of CISA’s budget amid rising China threats.
Subcommittee leaders called for transparency and evidence that national cyber defense capabilities would not be compromised. The congressional resistance reflects growing concerns about CISA’s operational capacity amid persistent and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Since Trump took office, approximately one-third of CISA staff has departed through layoffs, resignations, or workforce reductions tied to budget uncertainty. The workforce reductions have significantly impacted key programs, with nearly all senior officials having left the agency according to internal communications.
Contract cancellations and advisory board dismissals have already occurred under preliminary reorganization efforts. Democrats characterized the proposed cuts as undermining CISA’s congressionally mandated mission, with some warning of potential “death blow” effects on the agency’s ability to protect critical infrastructure. The administration’s cuts specifically targeted approximately $10 million in funding for crucial election security programs.
The administration’s consolidation strategy includes merging election and chemical security functions into a broader critical infrastructure security framework. The subcommittee’s decision demonstrates significant congressional resistance to the administration’s cost-cutting agenda, particularly in cybersecurity sectors deemed crucial for national security.
The approved reduction represents a compromise that maintains CISA’s core operational capabilities while acknowledging fiscal pressures. The measure now advances through the legislative process, where further modifications remain possible as lawmakers balance competing priorities between government efficiency and cybersecurity preparedness in an increasingly complex threat environment.