Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Last action on Mar 26, 2026House: On Motion to Recommit

Summary

H.R. 8029 would provide appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. The bill addresses a partial DHS shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, when the continuing resolution funding the department expired and a regular appropriations bill had not been enacted. If passed, the legislation would end this shutdown and restore funding to DHS operations.

The bill would provide funding for multiple DHS functions, including departmental management, intelligence and situational awareness, security and enforcement operations, and oversight activities. Specifically, it would fund the Office of the Secretary, the Management Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and other key agencies within DHS. The bill would also authorize back pay for federal employees affected by the shutdown, allowing them to receive compensation for work performed without guaranteed pay.

Additionally, the bill would ratify and approve certain obligations incurred during the partial shutdown, including expenses necessary to maintain essential activities and protect life and property. The legislation has passed the House and now requires Senate approval to become law. If enacted, it would restore full operational capacity and regular paychecks to over 100,000 DHS employees and resume normal operations at airports, border security, and other critical homeland security functions.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1131. (consideration: CR H2731-2750)

Mar 26, 2026

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.

Mar 26, 2026

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8029.

Mar 26, 2026

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Mar 26, 2026

Ms. DeLauro moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (CR H2750)

Mar 26, 2026

The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.

Mar 26, 2026

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.

Mar 26, 2026

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2751-2752)

Mar 26, 2026

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 215 (Roll no. 103).

Mar 26, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).

Mar 26, 2026

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).

Mar 26, 2026

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Mar 26, 2026

Mar 26, 2026, 3:20 PM ET

HouseFailed

On Motion to Recommit

210 Yes

215 No

VoteRecommitHouse

The House voted 215-210 to reject a Democratic motion to recommit H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act. The motion was a party-line vote with all 210 Democrats supporting recommittal and all 214 Republicans present voting against it, with one Republican absent. As the minority party's final procedural opportunity before a final passage vote, the motion to recommit forced the majority party onto the record regarding the specific changes Democrats sought to make to the bill. While the exact instructions were not detailed in the available data, this maneuver allowed Democrats to propose amendments and create a recorded vote on their position before the bill moved to final passage. With the motion defeated, the House proceeded directly to a final passage vote on H.R. 8029 without the changes Democrats proposed. The completely partisan nature of the vote reflects deep disagreement between the parties on the bill's contents and direction.

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.

Mar 24, 2026

Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

House Committee on Appropriations

House Committee on the Budget

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Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Lifecycle of the Bill

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Related Legislation (4)

Committees (2)

House Committee on Appropriations

House Committee on the Budget

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