Shutdown Fairness Act

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.