Government Operations and Politics

HR 5801: Shutdown Fairness Act

Shutdown Fairness Act

This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown.

Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.

A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency.

The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.

Sponsors

Dusty Johnson (R) SD

Cosponsors

Ryan Mackenzie (R) PA, Tony Wied (R) WI, Stephanie Bice (R) OK, Darrell Issa (R) CA, Michael Lawler (R) NY, Tracey Mann (R) KS, Austin Scott (R) GA, Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) IA

Introduced on
Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

HR 5787: BALL Act

White House Building Activities Locked-out in Lapse Act or the BALL Act

This bill prohibits federal funds from being used for construction or renovation in the White House, on White House grounds, or within any structure on White House grounds during a lapse in appropriations for a fiscal year (i.e., government shutdown) unless the construction or renovation is directly related to matters of health or safety.

Sponsors

Mark Takano (D) CA

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Friday, October 17th, 2025

S 3012: Shutdown Fairness Act

Shutdown Fairness Act

This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown.

Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.

A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency.

The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.

Sponsors

Ron Johnson (R) WI

Cosponsors

Ted Budd (R) NC, Bill Cassidy (R) LA, Mike Crapo (R) ID, Tom Cotton (R) AR, James Risch (R) ID, Dan Sullivan (R) AK, Todd Young (R) IN

Introduced on
Wednesday, October 15th, 2025

S 3005: Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act

Sponsors

Joni Ernst (R) IA

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

HRES 807: Of inquiry requesting the President to transmit certain information to the House of Representatives referring to the firings, dismissal, reduction in force, or withholding of pay for the period of the lapse in appropriations of furloughed employees of the United States Government.

This resolution requests that the President submit certain information to Congress regarding a reduction in force or the withholding of pay due to the lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) that began on October 1, 2025.

Specifically, the resolution requests that the President submit to Congress any and all documents and communications related to

any proposed reduction in force at a federal agency related to the lapse in appropriations,
efforts to create a legal determination at the Office of Management and Budget finding or suggesting that the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 does not create a self-executing requirement that furloughed federal employees must receive pay for the period in which they were furloughed during a lapse in appropriations immediately after the lapse in appropriations ends, and
efforts or plans to withhold pay for the period of the lapse of appropriations for excepted or furloughed federal or District of Columbia employees.

The resolution also requests that the President submit to Congress any documents or communications between the President’s office, the Vice President’s office, the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Special Counsel, and the Merit System Protection Board regarding these topics.

Sponsors

Kweisi Mfume (D) MD

Cosponsors

Robert Garcia (D) CA, Eleanor Norton (D) DC, Stephen Lynch (D) MA, Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) IL, Ayanna Pressley (D) MA, Rashida Tlaib (D) MI, Shontel Brown (D) OH, Melanie Stansbury (D) NM, Jasmine Crockett (D) TX, Glenn Ivey (D) MD, Summer Lee (D) PA, Johnny Olszewski (D) MD, Sarah Elfreth (D) MD, Emily Randall (D) WA, Suhas Subramanyam (D) VA, Yassamin Ansari (D) AZ, Wesley Bell (D) MO, Lateefah Simon (D) CA, Dave Min (D) CA, James Walkinshaw (D) VA

Introduced on
Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

S 3001: Shutdown Fairness Act

Shutdown Fairness Act

This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide pay and allowances to excepted employees who are required to work during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown).

Under current law, excepted employees are required to work during a government shutdown and are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown.

A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency.

Sponsors

Ron Johnson (R) WI

Cosponsors

Mike Crapo (R) ID, Tom Cotton (R) AR, James Risch (R) ID, Todd Young (R) IN

Introduced on
Thursday, October 9th, 2025

HR 5720: Federal Worker Childcare Protection Act of 2025

Federal Worker Childcare Protection Act of 2025

This bill authorizes certain federal employees to be reimbursed for childcare expenses paid during the government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025.

Under the bill, any federal employee who was furloughed or worked without receiving a paycheck during the lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) that began on October 1, 2025, and paid for childcare during the lapse is eligible to be reimbursed for the childcare expenses if (1) appropriations are provided for this purpose, and (2) the employee submits a receipt from a childcare provider to the General Services Administration.

Sponsors

Ilhan Omar (D) MN

Cosponsors

Alma Adams (D) NC, Donald Beyer (D) VA, Andru00e9 Carson (D) IN, Troy Carter (D) LA, Yvette Clarke (D) NY, Steve Cohen (D) TN, Mark DeSaulnier (D) CA, Dwight Evans (D) PA, John Garamendi (D) CA, Pramila Jayapal (D) WA, Summer Lee (D) PA, Gregory Meeks (D) NY, Gwen Moore (D) WI, Jerrold Nadler (D) NY, Joe Neguse (D) CO, Eleanor Norton (D) DC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) NY, Brittany Pettersen (D) CO, Ayanna Pressley (D) MA, Luz Rivas (D) CA

Introduced on
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

HR 5708: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown.

Under the bill, a shutdown is a period in which (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department because a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution has not been enacted, or (2) the debt of the federal government is greater than the statutory limit.

A federal worker (i.e., an employee of a government agency or contractor) who is furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown may apply to a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension with respect to any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or other civil obligation or liability that the worker owes or would owe during the duration of the shutdown.

The bill includes related provisions that restrict evictions, foreclosures, the enforcement of liens, and the termination of insurance policies during a shutdown. It also provides for the deferral of federal income taxes and student loan payments during a shutdown.

The Department of Justice may commence a civil action against any person who engages in (1) a pattern or practice of violating the requirements of this bill, or (2) a violation that raises an issue of significant public importance. A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill’s requirements may also bring a private right of action.

Sponsors

Brendan Boyle (D) PA

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

S 2982: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown.

Under the bill, a shutdown is a period in which (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department because a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution has not been enacted, or (2) the debt of the federal government is greater than the statutory limit.

A federal worker (i.e., an employee of a government agency or contractor) who is furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown may apply to a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension with respect to any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or other civil obligation or liability that the worker owes or would owe during the duration of the shutdown.

The bill includes related provisions that restrict evictions, foreclosures, the enforcement of liens, and the termination of insurance policies during a shutdown. It also provides for the deferral of federal income taxes and student loan payments during a shutdown.

The Department of Justice may commence a civil action against any person who engages in (1) a pattern or practice of violating the requirements of this bill, or (2) a violation that raises an issue of significant public importance. A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill’s requirements may also bring a private right of action.

Sponsors

Brian Schatz (D) HI

Cosponsors

Charles Schumer (D) NY, Richard Durbin (D) IL, Alex Padilla (D) CA, Bernie Sanders (I) VT, Chris Van Hollen (D) MD, Richard Blumenthal (D) CT, Kirsten Gillibrand (D) NY, Angela Alsobrooks (D) MD, Elizabeth Warren (D) MA, Tammy Duckworth (D) IL, Mazie Hirono (D) HI, Timothy Kaine (D) VA, Tammy Baldwin (D) WI, Catherine Cortez Masto (D) NV, Amy Klobuchar (D) MN, Cory Booker (D) NJ, Martin Heinrich (D) NM, Mark Warner (D) VA

Introduced on
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025

HR 5676: Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act

Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act

This bill prohibits the President or the head of an executive agency from removing a federal employee from the civil service (e.g., as part of a reduction in force) during a lapse in discretionary appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) unless the employee is a political appointee.

Sponsors

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D) FL

Cosponsors

Nanette Barragu00e1n (D) CA, Jonathan Jackson (D) IL, Greg Landsman (D) OH, Eleanor Norton (D) DC, Brad Sherman (D) CA, Shri Thanedar (D) MI, Dina Titus (D) NV, Wesley Bell (D) MO

Introduced on
Friday, October 3rd, 2025

HR 5679: TRUMP Act

Termination of Reckless Unchecked Mandates from this President Act or the TRUMP Act

This bill prohibits federal funds from being obligated or expended to promulgate or issue any executive order or presidential memorandum during a lapse in discretionary appropriations (i.e., government shutdown).

Sponsors

Angie Craig (D) MN

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Friday, October 3rd, 2025

S 2963: Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025

Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025

This bill provides back pay to employees of federal contractors who lost pay due to a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) in FY2026.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies that are subject to a lapse in appropriations in FY2026 to adjust the price of contracts to compensate federal contractors for providing back pay to employees who were affected by the lapse in appropriations.

The agencies must adjust the price of any contract for which the contractor stopped, suspended, delayed, or interrupted all or part of the work under the contract due to the lapse in appropriations. The price adjustment must compensate the contractor for reasonable costs incurred to (1) compensate employees who were furloughed or laid off, were not working, or experienced a reduction of hours or compensation due to the lapse in appropriations; or (2) restore paid leave taken by employees during the lapse in appropriations if the contractor required or permitted employees to use paid leave as a result of the lapse in appropriations.

The maximum amount of weekly compensation of an employee for which an adjustment may be made under this bill may not exceed the lesser of (1) the employee’s actual weekly compensation, or (2) $1,442 (or a lesser amount pro-rated for an employee who works less than 40 hours per week).

The bill also requires the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to submit a report to Congress on the adjustments made under this bill.

Sponsors

Tina Smith (D) MN

Cosponsors

Timothy Kaine (D) VA, Mark Warner (D) VA, Chris Van Hollen (D) MD, Angela Alsobrooks (D) MD, Alex Padilla (D) CA, Tammy Duckworth (D) IL, Richard Durbin (D) IL, Tammy Baldwin (D) WI, Elizabeth Warren (D) MA, Martin Heinrich (D) NM, Richard Blumenthal (D) CT, Edward Markey (D) MA, Bernie Sanders (I) VT, Jacky Rosen (D) NV, Mazie Hirono (D) HI, Amy Klobuchar (D) MN, Jeanne Shaheen (D) NH, Sheldon Whitehouse (D) RI, Ron Wyden (D) OR, Brian Schatz (D) HI

Introduced on
Wednesday, October 1st, 2025

HR 5657: Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025

Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025

This bill provides back pay to employees of federal contractors who lost pay due to a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) in FY2026.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies that are subject to a lapse in appropriations in FY2026 to adjust the price of contracts to compensate federal contractors for providing back pay to employees who were affected by the lapse in appropriations.

The agencies must adjust the price of any contract for which the contractor stopped, suspended, delayed, or interrupted all or part of the work under the contract due to the lapse in appropriations. The price adjustment must compensate the contractor for reasonable costs incurred to (1) compensate employees who were furloughed or laid off, were not working, or experienced a reduction of hours or compensation due to the lapse in appropriations; or (2) restore paid leave taken by employees during the lapse in appropriations if the contractor required or permitted employees to use paid leave as a result of the lapse in appropriations.

The maximum amount of weekly compensation of an employee for which an adjustment may be made under this bill may not exceed the lesser of (1) the employee’s actual weekly compensation, or (2) $1,442 (or a lesser amount pro-rated for an employee who works less than 40 hours per week).

The bill also requires the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to submit a report to Congress on the adjustments made under this bill.

Sponsors

Ayanna Pressley (D) MA

Cosponsors

Donald Norcross (D) NJ, Eleanor Norton (D) DC, Yassamin Ansari (D) AZ, Becca Balint (D) VT, Nanette Barragu00e1n (D) CA, Joyce Beatty (D) OH, Donald Beyer (D) VA, Suzanne Bonamici (D) OR, Shontel Brown (D) OH, Nikki Budzinski (D) IL, Greg Casar (D) TX, Sean Casten (D) IL, Kathy Castor (D) FL, Yvette Clarke (D) NY, Emanuel Cleaver (D) MO, Danny Davis (D) IL, Diana DeGette (D) CO, Suzan DelBene (D) WA, Sarah Elfreth (D) MD, Veronica Escobar (D) TX

Introduced on
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

S 2948: Help FEDS Act

Sponsors

Angela Alsobrooks (D) MD

Cosponsors

Chris Van Hollen (D) MD, Timothy Kaine (D) VA, Mark Warner (D) VA, Tammy Duckworth (D) IL, Brian Schatz (D) HI, Richard Blumenthal (D) CT

Introduced on
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

HR 5599: To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes.

This bill prohibits the removal of federal employees from the civil service during a government shutdown due to a lapse in discretionary appropriations. If an employee is removed from the civil service in violation of this bill, the employee may elect to be reinstated with back pay on the date on which the lapse in appropriations ends.

Sponsors

Johnny Olszewski (D) MD

Cosponsors

Brittany Pettersen (D) CO, Joyce Beatty (D) OH, Andru00e9 Carson (D) IN, Gilbert Cisneros (D) CA, Angie Craig (D) MN, Sarah Elfreth (D) MD, Laura Friedman (D) CA, Vicente Gonzalez (D) TX, Steny Hoyer (D) MD, Jonathan Jackson (D) IL, Susie Lee (D) NV, Kweisi Mfume (D) MD, Seth Moulton (D) MA, Eleanor Norton (D) DC, Emily Randall (D) WA, Andrea Salinas (D) OR, Melanie Stansbury (D) NM, James Walkinshaw (D) VA, George Whitesides (D) CA, Nanette Barragu00e1n (D) CA