Congress guarantees DHS and Coast Guard paychecks during shutdown.
H.R. 5398 — Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026 · Filed by Bill Huizenga (R-MI) · 24 cosponsors · Introduced Sep 16, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill ensures that Department of Homeland Security law enforcement officers, Coast Guard personnel, and essential DHS administrative staff continue to receive paychecks during a government shutdown in fiscal years 2026 or 2027. It appropriates whatever funds are necessary to keep these workers paid until either a full budget is passed, a continuing resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is a continuing appropriation to ensure DHS and Coast Guard personnel receive salaries during shutdown periods. It is a straightforward fiscal measure with no hidden provisions or narrow beneficiaries.
What the text implies
- Establishes a precedent that certain federal workforces (law enforcement, Coast Guard) are deemed too critical to go unpaid during shutdowns, potentially creating pressure for similar carve-outs for other agencies in future shutdowns.
- The Secretary of DHS gains discretion to determine which 'other' employees or contractors are 'necessary' to carry out the appropriation, creating potential for scope creep beyond the named law enforcement series.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Federal employees and their families avoid financial hardship during shutdown; essential border security and Coast Guard operations continue without staffing collapse. The bill protects workers' livelihoods and maintains critical public safety functions.