DHS scraps Noem policy requiring secretary's review of all contracts above $100,000
Source: CBS News
April 1, 2026 / 3:00 PM EDT
The Department of Homeland Security, now led by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, on Wednesday reversed a policy put in place by former Secretary Kristi Noem that required the secretary to approve contracts and grants worth more than $100,000. There were thousands of contracts in this range.
The directive lifts the requirement across all DHS components, including its major immigration enforcement agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a statement to CBS News, DHS said Mullin "re-evaluated the contract processes to make sure DHS is serving the American taxpayer efficiently."
"Today, the Secretary rescinded the $100,000 contract review memo," DHS added. "This will streamline the contract process and empower components to carry out their mission to protect the homeland and make America safe again." A Homeland Security official said contracts worth more than $25 million would still be reviewed by the secretary.
Congressional Democrats found that by late September last year, Noem's personal approval provision had delayed over a thousand Federal Emergency Management contracts alone.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dhs-scraps-noem-policy-approval-100000-contracts/
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