Bill · H.R. 8029· House(119-HR-8029)
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
- Introduced
- 3/20/2026
- Last activity
- 4/2/2026 — Received in the Senate.
- Sponsored by
- Juan Ciscomani
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
This legislation, known as the "Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act" or the "Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026," provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and the Transportation Security Administration for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill allocates substantial sums for various operations, support, procurement, and construction. It also includes provisions for the "Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026" to address a lapse in appropriations that occurred around February 13, 2026. Additionally, the Act rescinds various funds from several operational and support offices, including the "Department of Homeland Security Nonrecurring Expenses Fund." The legislation also ratifies obligations to ensure the continuity of personnel pay, allowances, and benefits, as well as essential activities to protect life and property.
Yes· 3 of 15
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+8
The bill provides $26.3 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund to assist in major disasters.
Would women be better off under this?+5
The bill includes specific requirements to safeguard the health and rights of pregnant women in custody.
Does this tighten control of the border?+5
The bill provides significant funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations and infrastructure.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-3
The bill rescinds billions of dollars from various Department of Homeland Security accounts.
What Congress actually voted on
2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 218–206
This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.
03/26/2026 · Roll call 104 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Pregnant Women: The bill requires standards of treatment to safeguard the health, safety, and rights of pregnant women held in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody (Sec. 211).
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Support for Firefighters: Significant funds are provided for Assistance to Firefighter Grants and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (Sec. III, Federal Assistance, paragraph 6).
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Protection of Children: The bill provides a grant for activities related to investigations of missing and exploited children through the United States Secret Service (Sec. s 2. U.S. Secret Service).
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Drug Importation Rights: Individuals are allowed to import a personal-use quantity (up to a 90-day supply) of certain prescription drugs from Canada, provided they are not controlled substances or biological products (Sec. 205).
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Increased Security for Nonprofits: Funding is allocated for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help eligible recipients at risk of terrorist or extremist attacks (Sec. III, Federal Assistance, paragraph 3).
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Job Training and Apprenticeships: The bill includes funding for paid apprenticeships for participants in the Human Exploitation Rescue Operative Child-Rescue Corps (Sec. 2. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
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Ensuring Employee Compensation: Funds are made available for personnel pay, allowances, and benefits to ensure department employees are paid (Section 1002).
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Maintaining Essential Safety Services: Obligations are ratified to maintain the "essential level of activity to protect life and property," which is vital for public safety (Section 1003).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Personnel Travel: The bill limits the ability of employees to attend international conferences to 50 people per component unless a determination of national interest is made, which could impact professional development (Sec. 521).
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Potential Reductions in Agency Funding: The bill includes several rescissions that reduce unobligated balances in various accounts, such as the Management Directorate and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Sec. 551).
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Constraints on Drug Importation: While allowing some imports, the bill specifically prohibits the importation of controlled substances or biological products from Canada (Sec. 205).
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Restrictions on Government Aircraft Use: The bill mandates that all official costs associated with the use of Government aircraft for the travel of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary be paid from the Office of the Secretary (Sec. 104).
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Reduction in Agency Operations and Support: The Act rescinds significant amounts of money from various security and oversight offices, such as $52,349,050 from the "Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency--Operations and Support" and $19,650,000 from the "Federal Emergency Management Agency--Operations and Support" (Section 1).
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Reduction in Oversight Capabilities: The bill rescinds $88,190 from the "Office of the Inspector General--Operations and Support," which could impact oversight functions (Section 1).
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Reduction in Border and Immigration Support: Funds are rescinded from "U.S. Customs and Border Protection--Operations and Support" and "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services--Operations and Support," which may affect agency operational activities (Section 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+5Good For Children+4Good For Retirees+3Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Union Workers+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+5Improves Poverty Reduction+2Reduces Homelessness+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+8
- Healthcare
- Reduces Prescription Drug Costs+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Small Business Support+1Reduces Government Spending-3
- 4/2/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 3/26/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).
- On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 215 (Roll no. 103).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2751-2752)
- 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.
- The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- Ms. DeLauro moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (CR H2750)
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8029.
- 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.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1131. (consideration: CR H2731-2750)
- 3/24/2026
- 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.
- 3/20/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House
6 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-4213: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-7147: Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026.
- 119-HR-7744: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HR-8173: Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act
- 119-HR-8206: Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-HRES-1131: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8029) making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1128) expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5103) to establish a program to Beautify the District of Columbia and establish the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7084) to amend title 46, United States Code, with respect to the types of vessels that may enter or operate in navigable waters of the United States or transfer cargo in any port or place under the jurisdiction of the United States, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.