House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole called on Mar. 26 for bipartisan support of H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, during debate on the House floor as the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down.
The ongoing partial government shutdown has led to missed paychecks for more than 100,000 employees and operational disruptions across key agencies. The legislation aims to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), restore critical security efforts, and ensure personnel are paid through the rest of the fiscal year.
Cole said last year's full government shutdown was "the longest full government shutdown in U.S. history" and criticized Senate Democrats for what he described as a recurring issue. "Today marks day 41 of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown – already the longest partial shutdown on record," Cole said. He highlighted impacts such as long lines at airports due to increased Transportation Security Administration callouts and a nearly depleted Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief fund.
Cole emphasized that H.R. 8029 would provide comprehensive funding for DHS without prioritizing certain areas over others: "It resources critical security efforts, pays personnel, and gets our frontline back to full operational strength." He quoted Representative Juan Ciscomani: “This should not be a partisan issue. Paying the people who protect our country should be the bare minimum expectation of a functioning government.”
According to the official website, notable members serving with Cole include Harold Rogers and Steny Hoyer on the House Committee on Appropriations. The committee provides guidance for community project funding requests in appropriations bills according to its official website.
The committee is responsible for drafting twelve annual spending bills that allocate federal funds according to its official website. Cole is currently serving as chairman—the forty-third person in this role—according to information from its official site. The committee also influences policy by passing funding legislation such as Continuing Appropriations Acts as reported by its official website.
Cole concluded his remarks by urging all members to vote yes on ending what he called unnecessary chaos: "Congress has a basic responsibility: fund the government, pay the workforce, and protect the homeland."
