Congressman Bean Prioritizes Funding for Homeland Security Personnel

WASHINGTON-In addition to supporting legislation to fund the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) is doubling down on his commitment to national security by backing the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026. This bill ensures that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel continue to receive their paychecks on schedule, even during a government shutdown.

"Our TSA agents, Border Patrol officers, ICE agents, and DHS law enforcement personnel show up every day to keep our country safe. Their commitment doesn't pause for a government shutdown-and their paychecks shouldn't either. I'm proud to support legislation that guarantees these frontline defenders are paid for the essential work they do despite the Senate's inability to pass a spending bill," said Congressman Bean.

BACKGROUND

During a government shutdown, essential DHS personnel are required to work without compensation, a practice that erodes morale and compromises operational readiness.

H.R. 5389 aims to ensure timely pay of DHS law enforcement personnel who continue working during the shutdown, including employees who are employed as:

• General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance (e.g., USCIS Immigration Officers, ICE Deportation Officers, TSA Federal Air Marshals)
• Transportation Security Officers
• Criminal Investigators (e.g., HSI Special Agents, ICE Special Agents, U.S. Secret Service Criminal Investigators)
• CBP interdiction
• Customs and Border Protection Officers
• U.S. Border Patrol Agents.
• DHS Aircraft Operators
• Secret Service Police
• Staff necessary to carry out the payments
• U.S. Coast Guard members, civilian personnel, and contractors, unless otherwise covered by existing law
• Time-Limited Coverage:
  • Applies to any shutdown in FY26 (and into FY27 if necessary) until authority ends on January 1, 2027, unless Congress acts earlier.

Click HERE to read the bill.

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