Sponsors (2)
The bill ensures pay, benefits, and operational continuity for frontline border and immigration personnel during DHS funding lapses—strengthening border operations and protecting workers—at the cost of increased automatic federal spending and reduced fiscal/oversight pressure during shutdowns.
Border and immigration operations staff (Air and Marine, OFO, Border Patrol, HSI, ERO) would maintain operational continuity during DHS funding gaps, preserving border security and public-safety functions.
Frontline DHS personnel (excepted CBP and ICE employees and designated contractors) would continue to be paid during funding lapses, preventing immediate loss of income for those workers.
Affected DHS employees would continue to receive employment protections and benefits (e.g., leave and workers' compensation under chapters 55 and 81 of title 5) during a shutdown, preserving access to pay protections and benefits.
Taxpayers would face increased federal outlays during shutdowns because the Treasury is directed to continue payments, which could blunt incentives on Congress to enact timely appropriations.
Taxpayers and contractors could see taxpayer funds obligated to designated contractor work during funding lapses without the usual appropriations timing and apportionment, creating oversight and accountability risks.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes automatic temporary funding to pay specified CBP and ICE excepted employees and certain contractors during DHS appropriation lapses.
Creates a statutory continuing appropriation to keep certain Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel — and specified contractors who must work during a lapse — paid and receiving specified benefits during any lapse in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations. The funding authority lasts only until a regular appropriations law or a full-year continuing resolution that omits the funding is enacted, and amounts spent must be charged to the applicable regular appropriation when it is later enacted.
Official title: Provide for continuing appropriations for certain employees and contractors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the event of a Government shutdown.
Introduced January 15, 2026 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress January 15, 2026