U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to divert money provided under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” to keep paying more than 57,600 employees during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, a move that would prevent missed paychecks for a large share of the agency’s workforce while appropriations remain lapsed.
- Who’s covered: CBP intends to continue paying more than 57,600 employees, according to Federal News Network (FNN).
- How CBP would do it: The agency would redirect funding made available through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, FNN reported.
- Why it matters: Those employees would be exempt from missed paychecks during the DHS shutdown if the funding shift is executed as described by FNN.
- What’s not covered: FNN’s report describes CBP’s plan for “some employees” and “more than 57,600” workers; it does not specify in the referenced report which CBP components or job series are excluded, or how long the redirected funds would last.
- Agency/department: CBP is a component of DHS, which is operating under shutdown conditions due to a lapse in appropriations, per FNN’s shutdown coverage.
CBP’s approach reflects how agencies sometimes use available multi-year or otherwise accessible funds—when legally permissible—to sustain limited operations or payroll during a funding lapse. During shutdowns, many DHS personnel are required to continue working because they perform activities tied to safety, security, and the protection of life and property. Historically, however, being required to work has not guaranteed on-time pay during a lapse; pay is typically delivered after Congress provides back pay authority and appropriations resume.
FNN reported that CBP’s plan would change that outcome for the covered group by using money tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allowing paychecks to continue even while the DHS shutdown persists. The report frames the move as a way to reduce the immediate financial impact on affected employees and families.
For employees trying to assess personal impact, the key question is whether your position falls within the group CBP can fund under this strategy—and whether the redirected funding remains available long enough to cover multiple pay periods. Employees should monitor official CBP/DHS guidance and local leadership communications for specifics on coverage, payroll timing, and any changes if the shutdown extends.
For general shutdown pay rules and timelines, see FedBrief’s explainer: https://fedbrief.org/
Source: Federal News Network (FNN) — “CBP to divert funding to pay some employees during DHS shutdown” (Feb. 2026), https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2026/02/cbp-to-divert-funding-to-pay-some-employees-during-dhs-shutdown/