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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 8029

Rep. Ciscomani Introduces Bill to Fund Homeland Security and Guarantee Back Pay for Federal Workers

Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Senate
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Key Points

  • This bill funds the entire Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2026, including $17.7 billion for Customs and Border Protection, $10 billion for ICE, $10.6 billion for the TSA, and $11.2 billion for the Coast Guard. It also ratifies back pay for federal workers who worked during a recent government funding lapse.

    From policy text

    “All obligations incurred and in anticipation of the appropriations made and authority granted by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 (division A of Public Law 119-37) and by division A of this Act for the purposes of maintaining the essential level of activity to protect life and property and bringing about orderly termination of Government function, and for purposes as otherwise authorized by law, are hereby ratified and approved”
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  • FEMA receives $26.3 billion for disaster relief, $684 million for firefighter grants, $300 million for nonprofit security grants, $123.5 million for emergency food and shelter, and $297 million for flood hazard mapping. These grants support communities across the country for disaster preparedness and emergency response.

    From policy text

    “$26,367,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount shall be for major disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act”
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  • The bill bans new border crossing fees for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers at northern and southern land ports of entry, and prohibits CBP from even studying such a fee. It also allocates $20 million for body-worn cameras for border enforcement agents.

    From policy text

    “the Secretary of Homeland Security shall not-- (1) establish, collect, or otherwise impose any new border crossing fee on individuals crossing the Southern border or the Northern border at a land port of entry; or (2) conduct any study relating to the imposition of a border crossing fee.”
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  • Air traffic controllers would receive a 3.8% pay raise for 2026, funded with $140 million, but only if the FAA Administrator determines that improvements in scheduling and staffing efficiency have been achieved. The raise would be retroactive to the first pay period after January 1, 2026.

    From policy text

    “the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall only use such amounts to provide a rate of pay increase for calendar year 2026 of 3.8 percent, for air traffic controllers”
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  • The bill requires strict protections for pregnant women in DHS custody, banning the use of restraints except in narrow circumstances, and never during active labor. It also blocks funding for detention facilities that fail to meet performance standards.

    From policy text

    “none of the funds made available in this Act may be used to place restraints on a woman in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (including during transport, in a detention facility, or at an outside medical facility) who is pregnant or in post-delivery recuperation.”
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  • The Coast Guard receives $98 million for MQ-9 surveillance drones and related equipment, but the bill strictly bans equipping any long-range unmanned aircraft with weapons. Members of Congress and top officials would also be required to go through TSA passenger screening like everyone else.

    From policy text

    “None of the funds made available for the Department of Homeland Security in this or any prior Act may be used to procure or acquire long-range unmanned aircraft with kinetic capabilities or to equip any long-range unmanned aircraft with kinetic capabilities.”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 20, 2026House

Referred 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, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Upon enactment

DHS agencies receive full-year funding and federal workers get back pay for the recent funding lapse

DHS employees who worked without guaranteed pay during the funding gap will receive their owed wages. All DHS agencies can plan and execute operations through September 30, 2026.

60 days after enactment

FEMA grant applications open and air traffic controller pay raise takes effect

States, cities, and nonprofits can apply for homeland security, firefighter, and emergency preparedness grants within 60 days. Air traffic controllers receive a 3.8% raise retroactive to early January 2026 if the FAA certifies efficiency improvements.

90 days after enactment

ICE submits detention execution plan and CBP submits border infrastructure spending plan

Congress and the public will have detailed information about how detention facilities are being used, how many beds are funded, and where border security money is going. These plans shape immigration enforcement for the rest of FY2026.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Bill NumberHR 8029
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred 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.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.