Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) is introducing legislation to ensure Capitol Police officers continue to receive pay during a future government shutdown.
Rather than offsetting costs from other areas, Rep. Mills' United States Capitol Police Reserve Fund Act of 2026 creates a reserve fund for the Capitol Police that can be activated only under strict circumstances.
For instance, in addition to being activated only during a lapse in appropriations, the distribution of funds will be used solely to pay salaries and essential operations under the oversight of the Capitol Police Board.
Other provisions require a report to Congress detailing how the funds were used, and any unused funds will be returned to the Treasury to avoid unnecessary spending.
"Our Capitol Police officers show up every single day to protect Members of Congress, staff, and visitors, no matter what's happening in Washington," said Rep. Mills in a press release. "They should never have to worry about missing a paycheck because Congress can't get its act together. This bill is a responsible backstop to make sure public safety and national security aren't put at risk during a shutdown."
Mills further emphasized that "this isn't about expanding government or creating a slush fund. It's about basic preparedness. When political gridlock happens, the men and women protecting the Capitol shouldn't be collateral damage."
During the 2025 government shutdown from October to November, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) introduced two similar bills to ensure that specific government personnel continue to receive pay during shutdowns.
The first, named the Pay Our Troops Act, was introduced for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The second, introduced a day later, was the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, which ensured the continued payment of USCIS Immigration Officers, ICE Deportation Officers, TSA Federal Air Marshals, Border Patrol agents, Secret Service agents, and the personnel responsible for distributing those wages.
