Bill Huizenga

09/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/18/2025 08:10

Huizenga Introduces Legislation to Pay ICE Agents, Border Patrol, and DHS Law Enforcement Officers in the Event of a Shutdown

Today, Congressman Huizenga announced the introduction of the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026. This legislation ensures Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement personnel defending our borders and interior are actively paid in the event of a government shutdown. Past shutdowns have forced critical homeland security personnel to work without pay, undermining morale and readiness in their mission to secure the border, address illegal immigration, stop the flow of illegal drugs, and protect commerce. The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026 is modeled after the Pay Our Troops Act, which Congressman Huizenga cosponsors.

"We cannot allow the mission-critical and dangerous work of our ICE Agents, Border Patrol Officers, and DHS law enforcement to be held hostage by Washington gridlock driven by partisan politics," said Congressman Bill Huizenga. "The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act recognizes that law enforcement personnel at the Department of Homeland Security shouldn't have to worry about their family's next paycheck while bravely securing our borders, cracking down on illegal drug trafficking, and keeping communities across America safe."

The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026 covers:

  • DHS Law Enforcement, including employees classified in series:
  • 1801: General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance (e.g., USCIS Immigration Officers, ICE Deportation Officers, TSA Federal Air Marshals).
  • 1802: Transportation Security Officers
  • 1811: Criminal Investigators (e.g., HSI Special Agents, ICE Special Agents, U.S. Secret Service Criminal Investigators).
  • 1881: CBP interdiction
  • 1895: Customs and Border Protection Officers.
  • 1896: U.S. Border Patrol Agents.
  • 2181: DHS Aircraft Operators
  • 0083: Secret Service Police
  • Staff necessary to carry out the payments
  • The U.S. Coast Guard members, civilian personnel, and contractors if not 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.

Joining Congressman Huizenga in support of The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act are U.S. Representatives: Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY).

Bill Huizenga published this content on September 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 18, 2025 at 14:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]