DHS Withholds Millions in Pennsylvania Security Grants Over Election Demands

Pennsylvania officials said in mid-July 2026 that the Department of Homeland Security is withholding roughly $15 million of about $33 million in counterterrorism and cybersecurity grants allocated to the state, pending review, and that fiscal year 2026 awards will carry new conditions. Under rules DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced July 10, states must run voter rolls through a federal citizenship database, manually audit 5% of ballots, ensure no non-citizens work the polls, and move away from barcode-based ballots to receive the full grant amount; states that decline face a 20% funding cut.

The Homeland Security Grant Program funds cybersecurity, first-responder equipment and terrorism-prevention work unrelated to elections, and House Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee called tying it to election-procedure demands "potentially unlawful." Several of the requirements mirror election legislation that failed in Congress in June 2026.

Pennsylvania says it is still reviewing the new requirements; DHS has not said when it will release the remaining fiscal year 2025 funds.