Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
Summary
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the remainder of FY2026. It also ends the partial DHS shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, because the continuing resolution (CR) that was funding DHS expired and a regular FY2026 DHS appropriations bill had not been enacted.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, including
- the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management;
- the Management Directorate;
- Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness; and
- the Office of Inspector General.
In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,
- the Transportation Security Administration,
- the U.S. Coast Guard, and
- the U.S. Secret Service.
The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including
- the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and
- the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
- the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and
- the Science and Technology Directorate.
The bill also authorizes back pay, in accordance with current law, for federal employees who were affected by the partial DHS shutdown.
Finally, the bill ratifies and approves certain obligations that were incurred during the partial DHS shutdown, including obligations incurred to maintain the essential level of activity to protect life and property and bring about an orderly termination of government functions.
Floor Votes
Timeline
- Apr 2, 2026Received in the Senate.
- Mar 26, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Mar 26, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).
- Mar 26, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).
- Mar 26, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 215 (Roll no. 103).
- Mar 26, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2751-2752)
- Mar 26, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 8029, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. DeLauro demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- Mar 26, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Mar 26, 2026Ms. DeLauro moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (CR H2750)
- Mar 26, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Mar 26, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8029.
- Mar 26, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103 and H.R. 7084. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 8029, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084.
- Mar 26, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1131. (consideration: CR H2731-2750)
- Mar 24, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1131 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103 and H.R. 7084. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8029, H. Res. 1128, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 8029, H.R. 5103, and H.R. 7084.
- Mar 20, 2026Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Mar 20, 2026Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Mar 20, 2026Introduced in House
- Mar 20, 2026Introduced in House
In the News
- Last Week In Congress: How Cascadia’s U.S. lawmakers voted (March 23rd-27th) - Northwest Progressive Institute
- How They Voted (Congress) - highlandscurrent.org
- Press Release: Congressman Nick Begich Votes to Support DHS Funding with H.R. 8029 - Quiver Quantitative
- Congressman Begich Votes to Restore DHS Funding and Support Homeland Security Personnel - House.gov
- Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 8029 - Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act - Quiver Quantitative
- Newhouse Votes to Fund Department of Homeland Security - Congressman Dan Newhouse (.gov)
- House Passes DHS Funding Bill to End Shutdown - Legis1
- Begich joins House GOP in passing bill to restore Homeland Security funding - Alaska Watchman
- Cole Testifies at Rules Committee on H.R. 8029 - House Committee on Appropriations (.gov)
- Press Release: Ciscomani Advocates for Funding of Homeland Security Agencies Amid Ongoing Shutdown - Quiver Quantitative