Story perspectives

DHS Employees Receive Paychecks Amid Ongoing Funding Crisis

4/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

More than 35,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees will receive paychecks for the first time in weeks amid the shutdown.
DHS warns this may be the last payment until Congress resolves the funding impasse.
House Republicans are delaying any deal until they secure long-term funding for immigration enforcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a directive enabling back pay.
Future payments remain uncertain.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. government shutdown of 2013, lasting 16 days, furloughed approximately 800,000 federal employees due to budget disputes over the Affordable Care Act. This shutdown disrupted numerous government services and cost the economy an estimated $24 billion. Today, ongoing funding negotiations continue to affect over 35,000 Department of Homeland Security employees, highlighting the persistent challenges of legislative impasses in federal operations.

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Story summary

More than 35,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees will receive paychecks for the first time in weeks amid the shutdown.
DHS warns this may be the last payment until Congress resolves the funding impasse.
House Republicans are delaying any deal until they secure long-term funding for immigration enforcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a directive enabling back pay.
Future payments remain uncertain.

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