U.S. House Bill Would Create New Intelligence Ombuds at DHS

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill (H.R. 7435) that would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish an Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and an Intelligence Ombuds within the Department of Homeland Security. The proposal appears focused on intelligence-related transparency and oversight matters within DHS and has been referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Based on the bill’s structure and placement within DHS, the proposed Ombuds differs in key respects from IOA standards. The bill assigns the Ombuds responsibility for providing confidential and objective assistance in resolving internal concerns and making recommendations to leadership. However, the statute does not expressly reference independence, informality, or neutrality as defining characteristics of the role. Moreover, it is not clear whether this would replace or amend the prior DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis Ombuds, which was more organizational in structure. The full statutory language will determine the extent to which the role aligns with IOA standards of practice. (H.R. 7435, 119th Cong. (2025–2026), “DHS Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office and Ombuds Act.”)

Related posts: COFO Collaborating With Federal Agencies Creating New Ombuds Programs; Coalition of Federal Ombuds Eyes Strategic Initiatives; ACUS Finalizes Recommendation on Use of Ombuds in Federal Agencies; DHS Policy Manual Explains Role of Office of Intelligence and Analysis Ombuds.