As Schumer Obstructs, House Republicans Again Move to Pay Personnel and Safeguard the Homeland

March 23, 2026
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – As the Democrat-led Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown stretches into its sixth week, Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is leading a renewed effort in the House to fund critical security operations and pay personnel who are working with no paycheck thanks to Senator Schumer and his continued obstruction of full-year funding for the very agency tasked with protecting the homeland.

By Friday, Senate Democrats will have denied over 80,000 American families more than $1 billion in take-home pay while they still show up for their shifts. These numbers don't even include furloughed employees. It is unconscionable. 

H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, provides funds to fully reopen DHS, which has been shut down since February 14, 2026, and compensates the many hardworking men and women who support our frontline safety each day.

Homeland Security Subcommittee Vice Chair Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said, “This standoff has gone on long enough. As Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I’m proud to lead the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act to ensure that the men and women who keep our country safe are paid for their service. From TSA agents to the countless personnel working behind the scenes to protect our airports and national security, these professionals should never be caught in the middle of political games. This legislation is about doing what’s right – making sure those who show up every day to defend our homeland can count on a paycheck.”

Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “Congressman Ciscomani’s legislation reflects what is a basic, bipartisan principle – those who safeguard our homeland deserve to be paid, and to have full operational resources behind them. This Democrat shutdown is not just irresponsible, it is disrupting critical missions, threatening the livelihoods of hardworking Americans, and putting unnecessary strain on our national security. It is past time to end the standoff and fully fund DHS. The Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act does exactly that – restoring pay, stability, and security without delay. This bill puts a simple choice in front of House and Senate Democrats – stand with our homeland personnel or continue their partisan shutdown."

This legislation ensures full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Coast Guard.

For 38 days, the ongoing DHS shutdown has disrupted critical operations, impacted the livelihoods of dedicated personnel, and weakened key components of our national security. This bill is a necessary step to restore stability, support our workforce, and ensure the safety of the American people.

Fiscal Year 2026 Democrat DHS Shutdown Facts: 

  • As of March 20, more than 100,000 DHS employees, including furloughed and active personnel, have missed full paychecks.
  • Estimated forecast over $2.5 billion in economic losses.
  • The TSA callout rate is five times higher than normal.
  • As of now, more than 400 TSA agents have quit.
  • Democrat shutdowns have forced TSA employees to work without pay for 47% of the fiscal year.
  • Due to staff shortages, security lines are longer, impacting travelers across the country.
  • FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund has minimal funding and would run dry in a major disaster without new appropriations.
  • Longest partial shutdown in history.

Democrats are putting Americans in harm’s way, and the threat only escalates the longer DHS remains without funding. Government shutdowns have proven to be an ineffective strategy, as demonstrated just last fall when Senator Schumer concluded the record-breaking 43-day shutdown without gaining any concessions.

A bipartisan agreement to fund DHS has already been approved by the House twice with support from both sides of the aisle. The time has come for Senator Schumer to recognize the facts, bring this shutdown to an end, and stop using federal employees’ paychecks as bargaining chips.

You can read the full text of the bill here.


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