Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
Legislative Progress
Plain English Summary
AI-generatedPlain-English Summary: Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act
This bill addresses the pay of U.S. military personnel and other national security workers during periods when the federal government does not have an approved budget or funding agreement in place — commonly known as a government shutdown. Specifically, it appears designed to ensure that members of the armed forces and certain homeland defense employees continue to receive their regular paychecks even if Congress fails to pass a spending bill and normal government funding lapses.
The people most directly affected by this bill would be active-duty military service members, and potentially other employees involved in national defense and homeland security, who might otherwise face delayed or withheld paychecks during a government funding gap. In past government shutdowns, military and essential federal workers have sometimes been required to keep working but had their pay delayed until funding was restored. This bill aims to prevent that situation for those in defense-related roles.
The bill passed the House of Representatives by a relatively close vote of 218 to 206 and has been sent to the Senate for consideration. It is worth noting that a motion was made in the House to send the bill back to the Appropriations Committee, which was not successful, suggesting there was some disagreement among lawmakers about the approach. The Senate has not yet voted on the measure.
Because no official bill description was provided, some specific details — such as which exact categories of workers are covered or how long the guaranteed pay period would last — are not fully clear from the available information.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate.
April 2, 2026
Sponsor
Committees
Legislative History
Received in the Senate.
Apr 2, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2751-2752)
Mar 26, 2026POSTPONED 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, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Mar 26, 2026Ms. DeLauro moved to recommit to the Committee on Appropriations. (CR H2750)
Mar 26, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8029.
Mar 26, 2026Rule 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, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1131. (consideration: CR H2731-2750)
Mar 26, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar 26, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 26, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).
Mar 26, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 206 (Roll no. 104).
Mar 26, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 215 (Roll no. 103).
Mar 26, 2026Rules 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, 2026Introduced in House
Mar 20, 2026Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 20, 2026Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 20, 2026Introduced in House
Mar 20, 2026