Mast Pushes Bill to Defund Sanctuary Cities, Clears House Hurdle

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has advanced legislation that would cut federal funding to local governments that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities, placing the bill one step closer to a full House floor vote.

HR 7640, the Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act of 2026, was placed on the Union Calendar on March 12 — a procedural milestone indicating the bill has cleared committee review and is eligible for consideration by the full House. Bills placed on the Union Calendar typically involve federal appropriations or spending, signaling the legislation's enforcement mechanism centers on financial penalties against noncompliant jurisdictions.

For residents of Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, the bill's implications depend largely on how local sheriff's offices and county governments currently coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. None of the three Treasure Coast counties have formally declared sanctuary status, but the legislation could reshape the legal and financial landscape governing how local law enforcement agencies respond to ICE detainer requests and what federal grants they stand to lose or retain based on compliance.

The bill is part of a broader Republican push in the 119th Congress to tighten enforcement of immigration cooperation mandates at the local level. Opponents of similar measures have argued that such laws can erode community trust in local police and may expose jurisdictions to legal challenges under the Tenth Amendment. Mast's office had not issued a public statement detailing the bill's specific penalty thresholds or targeted grant programs as of publication.

The bill's placement on the Union Calendar means House leadership could schedule it for a floor vote at any time. No Senate companion bill has been identified in public records.

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