This bill establishes a premium payment for employees of the Department of Homeland Security who were required to work without pay during a specific government shutdown. The "covered lapse in appropriations" began on February 14, 2026 , and applies to employees who performed work but did not receive their regular pay during this period. The legislation mandates a one-time payment equal to 10 percent of the product of the hours worked without pay and the employee's hourly rate of basic pay. This premium is intended to compensate "unpaid employees" for their essential service during the shutdown. Agency heads are required to make this payment within one day after the end of the covered lapse in appropriations.