H.R. 5398 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026
Cosponsors: 24 (1 D, 23 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-10
Introduced: 2025-09-16
Latest action (2025-09-16): Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
What H.R. 5398 does, in plain terms
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026 This bill provides continuing appropriations for the salaries of certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 or FY2027 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). If there is a government shutdown in FY2026 or FY2027, the bill provides continuing appropriations to provide pay and allowances to DHS law enforcement personnel; DHS employees or contractors who are necessary to carry out this bill, including employees or contractors involved in the administrative, payroll, distribution, accounting, and commercial accounts functions; and members, civilian personnel, and contractors of the U.S. Coast Guard. The bill provides the appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
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