All Roll Calls
Yes: 428 • No: 421
HR8029119th CongressWALLET
Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
Sponsored By: Representative Ciscomani
Passed House
Summary
Provides FY2026 funding for the Department of Homeland Security and its components. It lays out agency budgets, procurement limits, program earmarks, and stronger reporting and oversight rules that guide border, disaster, and cybersecurity work.
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
29 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 3 costs, 12 mixed.
Cuts to unused DHS funds
If enacted, the bill would rescind unobligated DHS balances across several accounts. Examples include $2.362 million from the DHS Nonrecurring Expenses Fund, $73.327 million from Management Directorate procurement and construction, $6.713 million from CBP operations, $19.650 million from TSA operations, and $52.34905 million from CISA operations. Funds Congress marked as emergency would not be rescinded.
More money and body cams at border
If enacted, U.S. Customs and Border Protection would receive about $17.7 billion for 2026. It would allow up to 7,500 police-type vehicles (6,500 for replacement), set aside $3.3 million from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, and keep $550 million available until September 30, 2027. Up to $2 million could go to informant awards and $2.5 million to repair roads on some Native American reservations used by Border Patrol. The bill would add $20 million to buy and run body-worn cameras for immigration enforcement and require a spend plan in 30 days. At least $5 million would go to ICE’s Blue Campaign, with prior notice to Congress before using the funds.
Better care for pregnant detainees
If enacted, people who are pregnant or just gave birth in DHS custody would not be put in restraints. Restraints would be allowed only after an individual review finds a serious flight risk or immediate danger, or if a medical professional says they are needed. No restraints would be used during labor or delivery, and dangerous restraint methods would be banned. CBP would have to follow care standards for pregnant, postpartum, and nursing people and infants. DHS would also have to keep key records on deaths, sexual assault, or abuse, and give them to people who were charged or punished if they ask and the law allows.
Bring 90-day personal meds from Canada
If enacted, you would be allowed to bring a personal-use prescription drug from Canada on your person, up to a 90‑day supply. This would not apply to controlled substances or biological products. It would only apply if you are not in the business of importing and the drug complies with U.S. law.
3.8% 2026 raise for air traffic staff
If enacted and the FAA Administrator finds required staffing and efficiency improvements, covered air traffic controllers and supervisors would get a 3.8% pay raise for 2026. The raise would start the first pay period after January 1, 2026. $140 million would fund the increase and stay available through September 30, 2027.
Funds for Coast Guard MQ-9 aircraft
If enacted, $98 million would be available until September 30, 2030 to buy MQ-9 aircraft, base stations, related equipment, and program management for the Coast Guard.
Airport security plans and gear in 2026
If enacted, TSA would send one combined planning report within 45 days after the President’s budget. For fiscal year 2026, the Aviation Security Capital Fund could pay to buy and install explosives detection systems and to fund listed airport security projects through other transaction agreements.
Keep intelligence funds authorized in 2026
If enacted, money in this bill for intelligence activities would count as authorized for fiscal year 2026 until a separate intelligence authorization is passed. Any amount above that later authorization for the intelligence account would be moved to DHS Management. The Undersecretary for Management would have to brief Congress before using the moved funds.
2018 overtime pay limits for DHS
If enacted, the 2018 overtime pay limits would apply to DHS funds in fiscal year 2026. This could reduce overtime pay for covered DHS employees compared with fewer limits.
CBP tech limits and spending plan
If enacted, CBP could not use these funds to reduce planned vetting at National Targeting Center locations unless a later law allows it. CBP could not buy or deploy surveillance systems that are not legally defined as autonomous, and could not buy or equip long-range drones with weapons. CBP would have to send an expenditure plan within 90 days before it can obligate certain Operations and Support funds.
Coast Guard plan pause, boat fees
If enacted, the Coast Guard could not carry out Force Design 2028 until it gives detailed briefings to Congress. Coast Guard operations funds could not pay for recreational vessel documentation unless yacht-owner fees cover the costs. If fees fall short and a backlog exists, staff could be reassigned to reduce the backlog.
ICE contracts tightened, more detention flexibility
If enacted, ICE could not keep a 287(g) agreement if the DHS Inspector General finds a material violation. ICE could not continue a detention contract if the last two facility reviews are below “adequate.” ICE would have to send an obligation plan within 30 days, and a detention execution plan within 90 days, with regular briefings. At the same time, the DHS Secretary would be able to move money into ICE Operations and Support to ensure detention of people prioritized for removal. DHS could not cut ICE attachés abroad unless DHS and State explain why, or the host country asks to stop.
Monthly border and detention forecasts
If enacted, DHS would have to estimate each month how many people it expects to detain and remove this year and next year. DHS would also have to estimate monthly arrivals at the southwest border, including single adults, family units, and unaccompanied children. An independent review would check the estimates, and they would be used in DHS plans and budget requests. DHS must analyze options and costs before asking the Defense Department for border help, and report to Congress after requests and quarterly once help is granted. If DHS does not provide the required estimates, some reprogramming and transfer authority would be suspended until it does.
Faster FEMA payments, tighter caps
If enacted, FEMA would face $100,000-per-day cuts when it misses a required monthly Disaster Relief Fund report or lets over 500 reimbursements sit in final review for more than 60 days, unless only lifesaving costs remain. FEMA would need to brief Congress five business days before some public award announcements, or lose $1,000,000. Recipients would be limited to using no more than 5% of certain grants for admin costs. Each listed FEMA grant would run at least 3 years and no more than 5 years. The bill would also set application and dashboard deadlines, with $100,000-per-day penalties if FEMA misses them.
Tighter rules on DHS budget moves
If enacted, DHS could not reprogram funds to create or end programs or boost an appropriation by more than the lesser of $5 million or 10% without 30 days’ notice. DHS could transfer up to 5% between appropriations with 30 days’ notice, and no account could rise by more than 10% from such transfers unless the law allows it. Up to 50% of unobligated Operations and Support balances at the end of fiscal year 2026 could carry over through September 30, 2027, with Committee notice recorded by June 15, 2027. If a FY2027 budget assumes not-yet-enacted user fees, DHS would have 60 days to show matching discretionary cuts if those fees are not law by October 1, 2026. A CARES Act timing rule would be extended through September 30, 2026.
Backup care and schooling help for DHS staff
If enacted, DHS could use Operations and Support funds to offer emergency back‑up care for employees. It would continue authority for dependent schooling in fiscal year 2026. USCIS could use up to 5 replacement vehicles in areas without GSA leases, and authorized staff there could use them to commute.
Extra $30M for Supreme Court operations
If enacted, the Supreme Court would receive an extra $30 million for salaries and expenses. The money would be available until September 30, 2028 and follow the usual Judiciary appropriations rules.
Limits on pausing FEMA grants and training
If enacted, FEMA could not pause a grant or training paid for by these funds unless the Secretary tells Congress up to 10 business days ahead. The notice would have to explain the pause, how missed training will be made up, and the budget impact. The notice rule could be waived only for emergencies that threaten life or property.
More support for federal law enforcement training
If enacted, FLETC could fund accreditation costs for partner agencies and would set up a board to run accreditation. FLETC could accept transfers to build special-use training facilities and keep ownership. FLETC instructor roles would be treated as inherently governmental. The Secret Service would be able to obligate training funds in advance of reimbursements, within year-end budget limits. $2 million would support the National Computer Forensics Institute facilities used by the Secret Service, available until spent.
No gun transfers to cartel suspects
If enacted, federal officers would be barred from helping transfer an operable gun to someone they know or suspect is a cartel agent, unless U.S. law enforcement continuously monitors or controls the gun at all times.
No special airport screening for officials
If enacted, Members of Congress, agency heads, and senior officials would not be exempt from passenger and baggage screening. The bill would also bar using funds to put in place any law that changes these screening rules.
USCIS virtual biometrics and job protections
If enacted, USCIS could oversee biometrics collection at Application Support Centers virtually using technology, instead of only in person. Agencies could not use these funds to change the citizenship oath language. USCIS also could not start or approve A‑76 privatization competitions for listed USCIS jobs.
More cybersecurity threat feeds for governments
If enacted, $99.75 million would move into CISA operations to pay for cybersecurity threat feeds. The funds would let CISA provide or buy feeds for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, fusion centers, and information-sharing groups.
Stricter travel and facility oversight
If enacted, $5 million for the DHS Secretary’s office would be withheld until written answers to FY2027 budget hearing questions are sent to Congress. DHS could not send more than 50 employees from one component to a single international conference, unless the Secretary gives 10 days’ notice that it is in the national interest, and DHS’s cost for any one conference would be capped at $500,000. Agencies could not spend on covered construction or acquisition projects without an approved prospectus, except to develop the prospectus. Agencies could not buy, build, or lease new law-enforcement training facilities away from current sites without advance notice, though FLETC could temporarily lease extra space when needed.
Secret Service costs shift and planning
If enacted, Secret Service funds could not pay to protect other agency heads, unless the requesting agency fully reimburses the cost. The Service could reprogram up to $15 million within its Operations and Support account for certain needs. The Director would have to send a report within 180 days and then every year through 2028 on staffing needs and ways to cut overtime, with overtime data.
Tighter DHS spending and reporting rules
If enacted, DHS would need to notify Congress three full business days before large awards: grants over $1,000,000 (Disaster Relief Fund grants over $100,000), contracts or letters over $2,000,000, and task orders over $5,000,000. Agencies that get money would have to post required reports publicly after the committees have had them for 45 days, or lose transfer and reprogramming authority until they post. The Secretary would need to brief Congress within 10 days when starting protection for a former or retiring official and report quarterly on costs. Appropriations would expire at the end of the fiscal year unless the Act says otherwise. The bill would define “minor” buys as personal property up to $250,000 and real property up to $4,000,000.
IT project checks and network rules
If enacted, DHS would have to send Congress a Technology Modernization Fund project proposal and analysis when it applies, and could not spend TMF money until 15 days after sending a detailed report with the approved plan and agreement terms. Agencies could not use these funds to run or start networks unless they block pornography, with an exception for law-enforcement work. Agencies also could not plan, test, pilot, or develop a national ID card with these funds.
Slow down big DHS pay changes
If enacted, DHS could not start large pay reforms or new job classifications that affect more than 100 full-time positions or cost over $5 million in a year until 30 days after notifying Congress. The notice would have to list positions, funding needs now and across the Future Years Homeland Security Program, and justify the change, including alternative pay options for structural reforms. This would not apply to changes already in the President’s budget if the bill does not deny those funds.
Buy American, legal hiring, no bad bonuses
If enacted, DHS could not use these funds in ways that break the Buy American Act. Agencies could not pay award or incentive fees when a contractor’s work is below satisfactory or fails basic contract terms. Agencies could not use these funds to employ workers described in 8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)(3).
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 3/26/2026
On Passage
Yes: 218 • No: 206
house vote • 3/26/2026
On Motion to Recommit
Yes: 210 • No: 215