H.R.2050 - Homeland Heroes Pay Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 2050, the Homeland Heroes Pay Act, aims to provide continuing appropriations for the salaries and expenses of certain excepted employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during any lapse in discretionary appropriations. This bill ensures that CBP agents and officers performing mission-critical functions at U.S. borders, as well as ICE officers and agents involved in immigration enforcement and criminal investigations, continue to be paid. The bill's appropriations would terminate upon the enactment of a regular appropriation for the same purpose.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect of this bill would be to ensure that essential CBP and ICE personnel continue to receive their salaries and benefits during government shutdowns or funding gaps. This would maintain operational readiness at borders and for immigration enforcement activities. Long-term, it could reduce the disruptive effects of funding lapses on these agencies.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures continuous operation of critical border security and immigration enforcement functions.
- Provides financial security for CBP and ICE employees during funding lapses.
- Prevents potential disruptions in border security and immigration enforcement activities.
- Supports the prevention of illegal activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.
- Maintains morale and readiness among law enforcement personnel.
Potential Disadvantages
- May incentivize Congress to delay or avoid reaching comprehensive budget agreements, relying instead on temporary measures.
- Could create a perception of unequal treatment among government employees, as only specific agencies are protected during funding lapses.
- The bill appropriates funds "out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated", which could strain the budget.
- May not address underlying issues causing funding lapses, such as partisan disagreements on budget priorities.
- Could be seen as a short-term fix that doesn't solve the broader problem of government shutdowns.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the constitutional mandate to provide for the common defense and ensure domestic tranquility, as outlined in the Preamble. Congress's power to appropriate funds is derived from Article I, Section 8, which grants the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).