Shutdown Fairness Act
Shutdown Fairness Act
Plain Language Summary
# Shutdown Fairness Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Shutdown Fairness Act would ensure that federal employees who are required to work during a government shutdown receive regular paychecks while the shutdown is ongoing. Currently, these "excepted employees"—those deemed essential and required to keep working—don't get paid until the shutdown ends and normal funding resumes. This bill would provide the money to pay them during the shutdown period. It also extends this pay protection to certain contractors supporting federal workers and active-duty military members. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects federal employees who must continue working when Congress hasn't approved a budget, including those in agencies like the FBI, TSA, and others providing essential services.
It also covers military personnel on active duty and related contractors. Essentially, it addresses the hardship faced by workers who perform their jobs but face delayed paychecks during budget disputes. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) but has not yet passed. It remains in the early stage of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Shutdown Fairness ActThis 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.
Latest Action
Upon reconsideration, cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43. Record Vote Number: 609.