Skip to main content

Politicians make promises on their stump — we watch and hold them accountable.

Help keep the record honest →Create an account
Bills/119th Congress · House

H.R. 5398

Introduced

Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026

Sponsor
RBill Huizenga· Michigan
Introduced
September 16, 2025
Policy area
Economics and Public Finance
Latest action
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.September 16, 2025
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5398 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5398

To provide salary and expenses for Department of Homeland Security 
personnel during a Government shutdown during fiscal year 2026 or 
fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2025

Mr. Huizenga (for himself, Ms. Boebert, Ms. Tenney, Mrs. Kiggans of 
Virginia, Mr. Finstad, Mr. Bean of Florida, and Mrs. Bice) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Appropriations

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide salary and expenses for Department of Homeland Security 
personnel during a Government shutdown during fiscal year 2026 or 
fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 
2026''.

SEC. 2. CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR DHS EMPLOYEES DURING GOVERNMENT 
SHUTDOWN.

(a) In General.--There are hereby appropriated, out of any money in 
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for any period during which 
interim or full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 or fiscal year 
2027 are not in effect such sums as are necessary to provide pay and 
allowances to--
(1) law enforcement personnel of the Department of Homeland 
Security during such period, including any personnel within 
classification series 0083, 1801, 1802, 1811, 1881, 1895, 1896, 
or 2181 (or any successor series);
(2) any Department of Homeland Security employees or 
contractors that the Secretary determines are necessary to 
carry out this subsection, including employees or contractors 
involved in the administrative, payroll, distribution, 
accounting, and commercial accounts functions; and
(3) members, civilian personnel, and contractors of the 
United States Coast Guard during such period, to the extent not 
otherwise provided for by law.
(b) Termination.--Appropriations and authority granted pursuant to 
this Act shall remain available until the earlier of the following:
(1) The enactment into law of an appropriation (including a 
continuing resolution) for any of the purposes described in 
subsection (a).
(2) The enactment into law of a regular appropriations bill 
or continuing resolution without an appropriation for those 
purposes.
(3) January 1, 2027.
<all>

Plain-language analysis

Not yet analyzed.

A plain-language breakdown — including any hidden or off-intent provisions and whether the bill was fast-tracked — is generated separately and reviewed before publishing. It will appear here once ready. Until then, the verbatim text above and the official source are the record.

StumpWatch is live, and the record is still growing. Many promises and positions aren’t tracked yet, and some features are still in beta. Add a sourced promise and help keep the record honest.

Help keep the record honest →