DHS Workers Get Tax Relief as Shutdown Drags On and Pay Questions Mount
As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown surpasses two months, affected DHS workers have a one-month extension to file their taxes.
Instead of being due on April 15, taxes will now be due on May 15, 2026. The extension includes penalty and interest relief.
“We are committed to supporting our hard-working DHS officers and employees so they can stay focused on their mission and keep the American people safe without being penalized for missing a tax filing deadline,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
All Furloughed Employees Recalled
Meanwhile, DHS recalled all furloughed employees back to work, effective with their next scheduled shift. This comes after President Trump issued a memo ordering DHS to find a way to pay all department employees back pay.
“(DHS) Secretary Mullin will be utilizing available funding to recall the entire DHS workforce to get our patriotic employees back to work,” said a DHS spokesperson. “Their paychecks are now being processed, and employees may already be seeing this money deposited.”
Thousands of employees were on furlough including 60 percent of the workforce at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and nearly 75 percent of civilian specialists at the Coast Guard.
However, the move to pay employees is raising questions among lawmakers and budget experts about how long the funding can last and where future money for paychecks will come from if the shutdown isn’t resolved. One DHS employee told Federal News Network it’s sowing confusion.
“Just because salaries are being covered, doesn’t mean the work and programs they work on are excepted,” said the employee.
Republicans Split on Reconciliation Bill
Meanwhile, the fight on Capitol Hill to pass legislation and end the shutdown continues.
Republicans in Congress are advancing a strategy to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without the help of Democrats through the reconciliation process.
However, Republicans are reportedly stuck on the size of the bill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) wants a narrow bill funding ICE and CBP. But other senators want to add provisions to the legislation including additional increases in defense spending, tax cuts, and fully funding ICE and CBP for a decade.
“Do we swing for the fences and get victories, economic victories that we can campaign on and win elections in November? Or do we play small ball?” asked Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).
Democrats say they will continue to insist on reforms to ICE and CBP regardless of what Republicans pursue.
“Americans want ICE and Border Patrol reined in,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
