H.R. 5398 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Sep 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryEnsures DHS pay during government shutdowns
When Congress can't agree on a budget and the government shuts down, federal agencies normally stop paying their workers. This bill would keep paying certain Department of Homeland Security employees even during a shutdown. It covers law enforcement personnel, the Coast Guard, and support staff who handle payroll and administrative work. The funding would last until either Congress passes a full budget or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
How it affects you
If you work for the Department of Homeland Security or the Coast Guard, including as law enforcement or in support roles, this bill would mean you'd keep getting paid during a government shutdown instead of waiting for the shutdown to end. For most other people, this doesn't create a direct change, though it could affect how border security and other DHS functions operate if a shutdown occurs.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 16, 2025)
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026
This bill provides continuing appropriations for the salaries of certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 or FY2027 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown).
If there is a government shutdown in FY2026 or FY2027, the bill provides continuing appropriations to provide pay and allowances to
• DHS law enforcement personnel;
• DHS employees or contractors who are necessary to carry out this bill, including employees or contractors involved in the administrative, payroll, distribution, accounting, and commercial accounts functions; and
• members, civilian personnel, and contractors of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The bill provides the appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5398
A BILL
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4) · Introduced Sep 16, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 16, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”