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H.R. 7778House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022

Sponsored by Bennie G. ThompsonRep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)
Introduced May 16, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM UTC

The Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022 amends the Homeland Security Act to protect the agency’s official seal. It makes it illegal to use the DHS seal—or a look‑alike—without written permission from the secretary when the use could imply official endorsement. The rule applies to the public and private sectors, while allowing DHS staff to use the seal as part of their regular duties.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a rule that anyone must have written permission from the DHS Secretary before using the department’s seal or any close imitation in a way that suggests DHS approval or endorsement.
  • Specifies that DHS employees can still use the seal in the normal course of their official duties.
  • States that any seal design that was lawful before this law takes effect can continue to be used, even if the design changes later.

Legislative Activity

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7 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 348.

July 28, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 16, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

May 16, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.

Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee

May 17, 2022

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Homeland Security Committee

May 19, 2022

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Homeland Security Committee

May 19, 2022

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability Discharged.

Homeland Security Committee

May 19, 2022

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 117-446.

Homeland Security Committee

July 28, 2022

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 348.

July 28, 2022

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 7778 on the floor

1 Democrat
Bennie G. Thompson
Rep. Bennie G. ThompsonD-MS-2 · Oct 11, 2022

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 7778, the Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022. The cost estimate…

Record

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued July 28, 2022

IB

Union Calendar No. 348

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7778

[Report No. 117–446]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 16, 2022

Mr. Thompson of Mississippi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

July 28, 2022

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 16, 2022

A BILL

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit misuse of the Department of Homeland Security seal, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022.

2.

Prohibition on misuse of the Department of Homeland Security seal

Subsection (a) of section 875 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 455) is amended to read as follows:

(a)

Seal

(1)

In general

The Department shall have a seal, the design of which shall be subject to the approval of the President.

(2)

Protection of seal

Except with the written permission of the Secretary, no person may knowingly use the seal, or any colorable imitation thereof, of the Department in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the Department or any organizational component or element of the Department has approved, endorsed, or authorized such use.

(3)

Construction

Nothing in this subsection may be construed to restrict the use of the seal of the Department by officers and employees of the Department in their course of their official duties.

(4)

Existing design

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), nothing in this subsection renders unlawful the use of any seal of the Department the design of which was lawful as of the date of the enactment of this subsection.

.

July 28, 2022

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed