What does Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act do?

The Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 provides comprehensive funding for all components of the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2026. This legislation establishes appropriations for operations, support, procurement, construction, improvements, and disaster relief across multiple DHS agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the United States Secret Service. The Act also includes the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act provisions and establishes detailed requirements for fund management, reporting, and congressional oversight. Beyond simple appropriations, the legislation implements policy directives regarding detention standards, immigration enforcement, border security infrastructure, cybersecurity initiatives, disaster response capabilities, and grant programs for state and local governments. The Act maintains continuity with prior appropriations while introducing new restrictions on fund usage and enhanced accountability measures for departmental operations.

HR8029 U.S. House: Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Engrossed

H. R. 8029

March 20, 2026

Mr. Ciscomani introduced the following bill; which was 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

A BILL

Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; 2. Table of contents; 3. References; 4. Explanatory statement; 5. Statement of appropriations; DIVISION A—DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS; DIVISION B—FURTHER ADDITIONAL CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2026

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

H.R.8029