DHS Use of Force Oversight Act

HR7119, the "DHS Use of Force Oversight Act," amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require a department-wide policy on the use of force by DHS law enforcement officers. This policy mandates objectively reasonable force, verbal warnings when feasible, tactics minimizing unintended injury, and prohibits chokeholds and carotid restraints. It also requires initial and recurrent training in de-escalation and use-of-force tactics. This is happening now because the bill was introduced on January 15, 2026, and referred to the Committees on Homeland Security and the Judiciary. The money trail for this legislation flows directly into training and equipment procurement for DHS. The bill mandates new training requirements, creating a demand for specialized law enforcement training services and equipment that supports de-escalation and non-lethal force. Companies with existing contracts for law enforcement training, simulation technologies, and less-lethal equipment are positioned to capture this new demand. The bill does not specify an appropriation amount, but the mandate for department-wide training and policy implementation implies a reallocation of existing DHS funds or future budget requests for these specific purposes. Historically, similar mandates for law enforcement training and equipment upgrades have led to increased contract opportunities for defense and security contractors. For example, following the 2014 Executive Order 13684 establishing the 21st Century Policing Task Force, which emphasized de-escalation, companies providing training and non-lelethal equipment saw increased demand. While no direct market surge is attributable to that specific executive order, the consistent demand for law enforcement technology and training has been a stable revenue stream for contractors. The passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021, which included funding for state and local law enforcement, saw companies like Axon Enterprise ($AXON) experience increased sales of body cameras and related services. Specific winners from this legislation include major defense contractors with divisions focused on government services and training, such as Lockheed Martin ($LMT), Raytheon Technologies ($RTX), General Dynamics ($GD), Northrop Grumman ($NOC), and Boeing ($BA), which often secure broad government contracts. These companies have the infrastructure and existing relationships to bid on and secure contracts for mandated training and equipment upgrades. Companies specializing in law enforcement training and simulation technology will also see increased demand. There are no direct losers identified, as the bill mandates new requirements rather than restricting existing operations or markets. This bill is currently in the committee referral stage. The next steps involve committee hearings and potential markups. If it passes committee, it moves to a floor vote in the House. The timeline for passage is uncertain, but the referral to two committees indicates a longer legislative process. If passed, DHS will then issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for training and equipment, which will be the direct trigger for contract awards.