After repeatedly raising concerns about slow progress, a lack of transparency and a lack of accountability for Department of Homeland Security grant programs this year, including the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee introduced legislation on Tuesday that aims to put in place stricter guidelines for the management of such programs.

Reps. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) are leading the DHS Grants Accountability Act, which — according to an information sheet from its sponsors — would implement new transparency measures and consistent standards for how DHS allocates grant funding, require FEMA to allow applicants at least 30 days to prepare and submit their applications and to open applications within 60 days of when funding is appropriated and mandate that FEMA award grants annually.

The legislation comes after lawmakers raised concerns about the Trump administration’s management of various DHS grant programs, including the NSGP. The application process for the 2026 NSGP allocations opened months late and on a significantly reduced timeline, and lawmakers have raised concerns about a lack of transparency from DHS and other issues with NSGP’s management this year.

“I am proud to lead legislation that makes commonsense, necessary reforms to restore fairness and predictability to FEMA’s suite of preparedness grant programs,” Kennedy said in a statement. “When local needs are placed at the forefront of these funding decisions, communities can focus on what matters most: keeping people safe.”

Thompson, the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the bill would “clarify congressional intent and ensure that FEMA awards grants based on need and in a timely and reliable manner” and “keep our preparedness grants consistent and transparent, giving States and local partners the stability they need to keep our communities safe.”

Without Republican support, the legislation is unlikely to move forward in the current Congress.

The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Thursday delayed a confirmation hearing for Paul Ingrassia, the Trump administration’s nominee for a government ethics oversight role, amid questions about his record from some Senate Republicans.

Ingrassia has been tapped to lead the Office of Special Counsel, which is responsible for whistleblower protection and other federal personnel oversight matters. He has a record of conspiratorial comments, including describing the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the ensuing war as a “psyop” and defending prominent antisemites, among other issues.

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) told Jewish Insider he had more questions he wanted to ask Ingrassia and that the hearing had been delayed because “he had not met with a lot of members” and the lawmakers wanted the chance to do so. He said that the hearing will now likely happen in “September or later,” after the Senate’s August recess, to provide more time for these meetings.

Asked about his specific questions for Ingrassia, Lankford said, “There’s a lot of posts that he’s made that I think we just need an answer to,” adding that he also wants to know about Ingrassia’s vision for leadership and for the office. “He’s been an attorney for one year,” Lankford added, noting that Ingrassia would be leading hundreds of other attorneys if he’s confirmed.

“We have a big Jewish population in our state. He’s had some comments with regard to antisemitism, so I wanted to understand that,” Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), a member of the committee, told JI.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who told JI shortly after Ingrassia was nominated that he planned to closely scrutinize the nomination, told NBC News this week that he would oppose Ingrassia due to concerns about the nominee’s past comments defending the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, among other issues.

“I think he’s one of these people that’s checked all the boxes and they’re all the wrong boxes,” Tillis, who is not a member of the committee, said.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, told JI, “he’s simply unqualified.”

Peters said at the hearing that he was “relieved to see that Paul Ingrassia … has been pulled” from the schedule.

“The Office of Special Counsel is an independent, nonpartisan agency that investigates allegations of prohibited personnel practices involving federal employees including whistleblower retaliation,” Peters said. “Mr. Ingrassia is unqualified for the position, both in terms of legal experience and given his long record of bigoted statements. And I urge the administration to formally withdraw his nomination.”