U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani introduced the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act (H.R. 8029) on March 20, aiming to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ensure pay for law enforcement and national security personnel affected by the ongoing federal shutdown.
The legislation comes as the Department of Homeland Security has been closed since February 14, with employees missing a full paycheck and critical operations disrupted. The bill seeks to restore stability for agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Coast Guard.
“This standoff has gone on long enough,” said Ciscomani. “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.”
House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole 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.”
The current partial government shutdown has lasted 35 days—the longest in history—and has led to increased TSA callout rates five times higher than normal as well as more than 300 TSA agents quitting their jobs due to missed paychecks and staff shortages impacting airport security lines nationwide.
Ciscomani’s introduction of this bill aligns with his consistent opposition to government shutdowns because of their negative effects on working Americans. He has served in Congress representing Arizona’s 6th District since replacing Ann Kirkpatrick in 2023 according to Ballotpedia. In previous elections, he defeated Kirsten Engel in both 2022 and 2024 general elections as reported by AZ Centraland AZ Central. Born in Hermosillo, Mexico in 1982 and now living in Tucson according to his congressional biography, Ciscomani graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in 2005.
Supporters say passage of this legislation would immediately address workforce challenges at DHS agencies while ensuring continued protection for travelers and national security.
