Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8029
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Economics and Public Finance
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-04-02: Received in the Senate.
Last Updated: 2026-06-11T17:41:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation, titled the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, provides appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2026 (ending September 30, 2026). It funds core operations like border security, immigration enforcement, aviation security, disaster response, cybersecurity, and Coast Guard activities. It also includes a short-term extension of prior continuing appropriations to cover any funding gaps.

Key Provisions

The bill allocates billions across DHS components via Titles I–V, with detailed funding for operations/support (day-to-day activities), procurement/construction/improvements (equipment/buildings), and research/development. Funding often remains available beyond FY2026 (e.g., until 2027–2030). Key allocations include:

Title I: Departmental Management, Intelligence, Oversight
Office of Secretary/Executive Management: $316M operations; $9M procurement.
Management Directorate: $1.7B operations; $58M procurement.
Intelligence/Analysis: $341M operations.
Inspector General: $258M operations (extra for detention oversight).
Reports required: Non-competitive grants/contracts, monthly budgets/staffing, acquisitions, pilots/demos.

Title II: Security, Enforcement, Investigations
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): $17.7B operations (vehicles, aircraft, informant payments); $223M procurement (border assets).
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): $10B operations (investigations, detention, removals); $5M procurement. Extra $20M for body-worn cameras.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): $10.6B operations; $330M procurement; $24M R&D.
Coast Guard: $11.3B operations; $992M procurement; $7M R&D; $1.2B retired pay. Extra $98M for MQ-9 drones.
Secret Service: $3.1B operations; $119M procurement; $3M R&D.
Policy riders: Limits on detention contracts, 287(g) agreements, overtime; bans new border fees; personal drug import allowances.

Title III: Protection, Preparedness, Response
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): $2.2B operations; $386M procurement.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): $1.7B operations; $156M procurement; $3.8B grants (homeland security, fire, flood mapping, nonprofits); $26.4B Disaster Relief Fund; $226M National Flood Insurance Fund.

Title IV: Research, Training, Services
USCIS: $123M operations (E-Verify).
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers: $380M operations; $18M procurement.
Science & Technology: $353M operations; $52M procurement; $427M R&D.

Title V: General Provisions
Reprogramming/transfer rules (e.g., 10% limits, 30-day notice); working capital fund; intelligence authorizations; Buy American requirements.
Rescissions: ~$100M+ from prior unobligated balances (e.g., CBP fencing, CISA).

Division B: Ratifies short-term continuing appropriations (from Public Law 119-37) to avoid shutdowns, covering pay/benefits.

Funding details reference an explanatory statement (from H.R. 7147) treated as a conference report for allocation guidance.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Applies prior-year restrictions (e.g., overtime caps, fencing bans) to FY2026 funds.
Enhances oversight: Quarterly Inspector General reports on prior supplemental (Public Law 119-21); monthly migration/detention estimates; execution plans for ICE detention/CBP procurement.
New limits: No new border crossing fees/studies; bans non-autonomous surveillance; pauses low-performing detention contracts; requires alternatives analysis before DoD border aid requests.
Expands some flexibilities: Grant waivers (fire/emergency), pilot/demo documentation, unrestrained pregnant detainees (with exceptions).

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Bolsters DHS staffing/equipment (e.g., border agents, detention beds, drones); mandates reports/plans, potentially slowing spending but improving accountability. Rescissions reduce prior-year flexibility.
Citizens: Enhanced aviation/port security, disaster aid/grants to states/locals/tribes/nonprofits; protections for pregnant detainees, personal Canadian drug imports.
Immigration/Border: Funds enforcement/removals; body cameras; prioritizes high-risk aliens; monthly forecasts inform budgeting.
International Relations: Supports Coast Guard/ICE overseas ops; Secret Service foreign aid; no waivers for foreign oil tankers without U.S. flag vessels.

Main Stakeholders Affected

DHS Components/Employees: CBP/ICE agents, TSA screeners, Coast Guard, FEMA, CISA (funding/staffing boosts).
States/Locals/Tribes/Nonprofits: Grant recipients (e.g., fire depts., urban security, flood mitigation).
Immigrants/Detainees: Enforcement, detention oversight, body cameras.
Travelers/Businesses: Border/travel security, ports, aviation screening.
Congress/Taxpayers: Extensive reporting/oversight; rescissions save funds.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Oversight Emphasis: Dozens of reporting/briefing mandates (e.g., acquisitions, pilots, migrants) enhance congressional control, potentially limiting executive flexibility (reprogramming suspensions for non-compliance).
Policy Riders: Enforce specific priorities (e.g., no national ID card, porn blocks on networks, Guantanamo detainee bans) without new laws; align with immigration enforcement focus.
Constitutional Neutrality: Funds intelligence as "authorized"; upholds Buy American, no first-class travel waste.
Political Context: "Pay Our Homeland Defenders" signals support for frontline personnel; ties funding to performance/oversight amid border/disaster debates. No major constitutional challenges evident; focuses on appropriations authority.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]

Recent Actions

2026-04-02: Received in the Senate.
2026-03-26: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-26: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104). (Roll call 104)
2026-03-26: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104). (Roll call 104)
2026-03-26: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 215 (Roll no. 103). (Roll call 103)
2026-03-26: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2751-2752)
2026-03-26: POSTPONED 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.
2026-03-26: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
2026-03-26: Ms. DeLauro moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (CR H2750)
2026-03-26: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-03-26: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8029.
2026-03-26: 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.
2026-03-26: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1131. (consideration: CR H2731-2750)
2026-03-24: Rules 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.
2026-03-20: 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.

Bill Versions

Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (108 pages)
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act — issued 2026-03-20 — PDF (107 pages)