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H.R. 5398: Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026

This bill, titled the "Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026", seeks to ensure that certain employees of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continue to receive their salaries and associated expenses during periods when the government is shut down. It is designed to cover the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Here are the main components of the bill:

Provisions for Employee Compensation

The bill appropriates funds from the U.S. Treasury to provide payment for the following groups during any government shutdown:

Law Enforcement Personnel: This includes various classifications of DHS personnel who carry out law enforcement activities.
DHS Employees and Contractors: Employees or contractors deemed necessary by the Secretary of DHS for essential functions related to administrative, payroll, distribution, accounting, and commercial accounts.
United States Coast Guard Members: Civilian personnel and contractors working with the Coast Guard are also included, provided they are not covered by other laws.

Conditions for Termination of Appropriations

The funding and authority granted by this act will remain in effect until one of the following occurs:

The enactment of a law that provides appropriations for the specified purposes.
The enactment of a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution that does not include funding for these purposes.
The date of January 1, 2027.

Purpose of the Bill

The primary objective of the bill is to prevent financial hardship for those workers at DHS who play critical roles in national security and law enforcement during times when the government may cease operations due to budgetary disputes or other political issues. By ensuring these individuals are compensated, the bill aims to maintain operational readiness and morale among a vital segment of the federal workforce.

Impact of the Bill

This legislation seeks to provide stability for DHS personnel and their families, ensuring that essential services and national security functions can continue without interruption in the event of a government shutdown.