Bill Summary
The "Homeland Heroes Pay Act" is legislation designed to ensure the continuous funding of salaries and expenses for specific employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during periods when discretionary appropriations are not available. This bill addresses the essential roles of CBP and ICE personnel who carry out critical functions related to national security, such as border protection and immigration enforcement.
The Act appropriates necessary funds to support those employees engaged in crucial activities, including preventing terrorism, controlling illegal immigration, and combating drug trafficking and smuggling operations. The appropriations will remain in effect until a new budget is enacted that covers these functions or until a different appropriations resolution is passed. This legislation underscores the importance of maintaining operational capacity in the face of funding lapses, ensuring that key homeland security personnel continue to receive compensation for their work.
Possible Impacts
The "Homeland Heroes Pay Act," as outlined in the legislation, could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Job Security for CBP and ICE Employees**: The act ensures that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees receive their salaries and expenses even during lapses in discretionary appropriations. This provision provides financial security for these employees and their families, allowing them to maintain their livelihoods and pay for essential expenses, which can lead to increased morale and productivity in their roles.
2. **Impact on Border Security and Immigration Enforcement**: By ensuring continued funding for personnel engaged in critical functions like border security and immigration enforcement, the act may enhance the effectiveness of these agencies. This could result in more robust efforts to prevent illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism, which can have broader implications for community safety and national security.
3. **Resource Allocation for Law Enforcement Operations**: The act provides appropriations that allow ICE and CBP to conduct important investigations related to criminal organizations and the illegal trade of contraband. This could lead to more successful operations against criminal networks, thereby potentially reducing crime rates related to drugs and trafficking. However, it may also result in increased scrutiny and enforcement actions against individuals in vulnerable communities, which could raise concerns about civil rights and immigration policies.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2050 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2050
Making continuing appropriations for the salary and expenses of certain
excepted employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2025
Mr. Green of Tennessee (for himself, Mr. Gimenez, Ms. De La Cruz, and
Mr. Ciscomani) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Appropriations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
Making continuing appropriations for the salary and expenses of certain
excepted employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Homeland Heroes Pay Act''.
SEC. 2. CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF CBP AND ICE.
(a) In General.--There are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as are necessary to pay,
during the period of any lapse in discretionary appropriations
occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
salaries and expenses of--
(1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers
who are performing mission critical functions at United States
Southwest, Northern, and maritime border ports of entry, and
between such ports of entry, including preventing terrorists,
terrorists weapons, illegal aliens, illicit drugs, and other
illegal contraband; and
(2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and
agents who conduct--
(A) immigration enforcement, including detaining
and removing aliens (as defined in section 101 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act); and
(B) investigations of criminal operations and
organizations, including--
(i) the illegal trade of contraband such as
goods, weapons, and drugs; and
(ii) the smuggling and trafficking of
people.
(b) Termination.--Appropriations and funds made available and
authority granted pursuant to this section shall be available until
whichever of the following first occurs:
(1) The enactment into law of an appropriation (including a
continuing appropriation) for any purpose for which amounts are
made available in subsection (a).
(2) The enactment into law of the applicable regular or
continuing appropriations resolution or other Act without any
appropriation for such purpose.
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