End the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown by providing appropriations for the rest of FY2026?
The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act would end the partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown by providing appropriations to DHS for the remainder of FY2026. The bill provides appropriations to a variety of agencies under DHS, including a combined $27.7 billion for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, $10.6 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, and more. In addition to these appropriations, the bill restores funding for DHS employees who were affected by the partial shutdown that began on February 14, 2026. Sponsor: Rep. Juan Ciscomani (Republican, Arizona, District 6)
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Opponents say
• "This shutdown has persisted because Republicans insist on withholding funding for TSA until they get even more money for ICE. At a time when most are living paycheck to paycheck because of the affordability crisis, Republicans are holding up pay for hard working Americans because they do not want to agree to many of the protections against abuses we have seen committed by ICE and CBP that the vast majority of Americans are demanding. Republicans have the power to end this impasse today. They choose not to." Source: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Democrat, Connecticut, District 3), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee
Proponents say
• "This standoff has gone on long enough. As Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I’m proud to lead the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act to ensure that the men and women who keep our country safe are paid for their service. From TSA agents to the countless personnel working behind the scenes to protect our airports and national security, these professionals should never be caught in the middle of political games. This legislation is about doing what’s right—making sure those who show up every day to defend our homeland can count on a paycheck." Source: Rep. Juan Ciscomani (Republican, Arizona, District 6)
• "Under Biden, over 10 million illegal immigrants entered the United States from over 160 countries, including countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Over 400 illegal aliens on the Terrorist Watch List were encountered at the border – and these are just the ones we caught. We know that bad actors came across the border undetected under the Biden Administration and that counterterrorism agencies are monitoring suspected sleeper cells on American soil. Especially now, in the wake of Biden’s four years of open borders and evolving threats, we cannot handicap the department tasked with keeping Americans safe. It’s absurd, it’s irresponsible, and it is only hurting the American people. For a third time, House Republicans are bringing forward legislation to ensure the government is fully funded and American communities and citizens are kept safe." Source: Rep. Steve Scalise (Republican, Louisiana, District 1), Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Ciscomani Leads House Effort to Pay our Homeland Defenders (Press Release)
- DHS shutdown stretches to 35 days as Democrats block funding bill (The Hill)
- ICE deployed to some U.S. airports as long security lines persist during partial shutdown (CNBC)
- How a Partial Government Shutdown Over ICE Would Impact Immigration Enforcement (TIME)
- How ICE grew to be the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency (NPR)
- Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s Largest Donors (OpenSecrets)
