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Huizenga Introduces Legislation to Ensure DHS Law Enforcement Personnel Are Paid During Government Shutdown

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congressman Bill Huizenga has announced the introduction of the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026, a bill aimed at ensuring Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel are paid during a government shutdown. This legislation is modeled after the Pay Our Troops Act, which Huizenga cosponsors. The bill covers various DHS law enforcement personnel, including Customs and Border Protection Officers, U.S. Border Patrol Agents, and Transportation Security Officers, ensuring they receive their paychecks even in the event of a shutdown.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026 ensures Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel are paid during a government shutdown.
  • The bill covers various DHS law enforcement personnel, including:

+ Customs and Border Protection Officers

+ U.S. Border Patrol Agents

+ Transportation Security Officers

+ ICE Deportation Officers

+ HSI Special Agents

+ U.S. Secret Service Criminal Investigators

  • The bill also covers U.S. Coast Guard members, civilian personnel, and contractors if not otherwise covered by existing law.
  • The legislation is modeled after the Pay Our Troops Act, which Congressman Huizenga cosponsors.
  • Congressman Huizenga stated, "We cannot allow the mission-critical and dangerous work of our ICE Agents, Border Patrol Officers, and DHS law enforcement to be held hostage by Washington gridlock driven by partisan politics."
  • The bill has gained support from several U.S. Representatives, including:

+ Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA)

+ Brad Finstad (R-MN)

+ Lauren Boebert (R-CO)

+ Aaron Bean (R-FL)

+ Stephanie Bice (R-OK)

+ Claudia Tenney (R-NY)

Statistics:

  • DHS law enforcement personnel affected by the bill include: 1801 (General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance), 1802 (Transportation Security Officers), 1811 (Criminal Investigators), 1881 (CBP interdiction), 1895 (Customs and Border Protection Officers), 1896 (U.S. Border Patrol Agents), 2181 (DHS Aircraft Operators), and 0083 (Secret Service Police).
  • The U.S. Coast Guard and certain civilian personnel and contractors will also receive time-limited coverage under the bill.
  • The bill applies to any shutdown in FY26 (and into FY27 if necessary) until authority ends on January 1, 2027, unless Congress acts earlier.

Sources:

  • "Huizenga Introduces Legislation to Pay ICE Agents, Border Patrol, and DHS Law Enforcement Officers in the Event of a Shutdown" (Congressman Bill Huizenga, September 18)

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