House GOP proposes $250M CISA budget cut as Trump considers Palantir CTO for agency lead

House Republicans are pushing a fiscal 2027 Department of Homeland Security spending bill that would cut funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency by $250 million, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats who say the reduction leaves the nation vulnerable to escalating cyberattacks from foreign adversaries. The House Appropriations homeland security subcommittee is scheduled to mark up the legislation on Friday.

The GOP bill provides $2.4 billion for CISA, down from the $2.6 billion Congress allocated for fiscal 2026. Democrats released a fact sheet Thursday calling the cut "dramatic" and warning it undermines protections for businesses, health care systems, utilities, schools, and state and local governments at a time when sophisticated attacks are increasing.

GOP defends cuts as strategic, Democrats see danger

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., said the bill focuses on "improving cybersecurity resilience" and includes $31 million to hire mission critical positions to counter threats from adversaries such as China. Republicans also noted they are reallocating $100 million from past appropriations to fund CISA's core missions. The bill includes strategic reductions to "redundant, unauthorized, or duplicative contracts, positions, and programs," according to a GOP fact sheet.

Democrats countered that the cuts limit DHS's ability to counter foreign propaganda and protect states during elections. The second Trump administration has sought deep reductions in CISA's personnel and budget in both fiscal 2026 and 2027, drawing bipartisan concern. Last year, Congress partially restored some of the proposed cuts.

• The bill provides $11.3 million for DHS management director cybersecurity protections and $5 million for ICE's Cyber Crime Center.
• DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told lawmakers he wants approximately 600 more CISA staff than current levels, still well below pre-Trump second term numbers.
• CISA has faced a leadership vacuum since the start of the Trump administration, with no permanent director confirmed.

Palantir executive emerges as top contender for CISA director

Shyam Sankar, chief technology officer at Palantir Technologies, has emerged as a lead contender for the long-vacant CISA director role, according to sources familiar with the administration's search. Sankar's potential nomination comes as the agency grapples with budget uncertainty and staffing challenges. Palantir, a data analytics company with deep government contracts, has been a key contractor for defense and intelligence agencies.

The budget fight and leadership search unfold against a backdrop of rising cyber threats. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern that CISA has been diminished at a critical moment. The agency's credential leak earlier this year raised alarms on Capitol Hill, and officials have talked about wanting to hire additional personnel despite the cutbacks. What comes next depends on Friday's subcommittee vote and whether Sankar's nomination moves forward, but the trajectory suggests CISA faces a period of reduced resources and uncertain direction.