Shutdown Fairness Act
Rep. Johnson Introduces Shutdown Fairness Act to Pay Essential Workers During Funding Gaps
The Shutdown Fairness Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently sent to the House Committee on Appropriations for review. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time, and the bill is still waiting to move forward.
Passage Likelihood
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill guarantees that federal employees deemed "excepted" (essential) will receive their regular pay, allowances, and benefits on time during any government shutdown, starting in fiscal year 2026 and every year after. This removes the current problem where essential workers must work without pay until a shutdown ends.
From policy text
“there are appropriated to the head of the agency, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as are necessary to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments otherwise payable on a regular basis to excepted employees”
View in full text - The bill covers not just civilian federal workers but also active duty military members and certain government contractors who support essential employees and are required to work during a funding lapse.
From policy text
“includes-- (i) a contractor who-- (I) provides support to an employee described in subparagraph (A); and (II) is required to perform work during a lapse in appropriations, as determined by the head of the agency with respect to which the contractor provides support; and (ii) a member of the Armed Forces on active duty”
View in full text - The law would apply across all three branches of government, covering executive, legislative, and judicial agencies. This means it is not limited to just the executive branch departments that typically get the most attention during shutdowns.
From policy text
“the term ``agency'' means each authority of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States”
View in full text - The bill includes a retroactive effective date of September 30, 2025, which means it would cover any shutdown that happens at the start of fiscal year 2026 or beyond, even if the bill is signed into law after a shutdown has already begun.
From policy text
“Retroactive Effective Date.--This Act shall take effect as if enacted on September 30, 2025.”
View in full text - Once regular or continuing appropriations are enacted, the temporary funding provided under this bill stops, and any money already spent gets charged to the agency's normal budget. This ensures the bill only fills the gap during a shutdown and does not create extra spending.
From policy text
“Obligations or expenditures made by the head of an agency pursuant to subsection (b) shall be charged to the applicable appropriation for the agency whenever a regular appropriation bill or a measure making continuing appropriations until the end of the applicable fiscal year for the agency becomes law.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Related Bills
3 billsShutdown Fairness Act
Oct 9 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Shutdown Fairness Act
Nov 7 — 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.
Pay the People Act
Oct 28 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Shutdown Fairness Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(17)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.