Pay the People Act
Sen. Kennedy Introduces Pay the People Act to Guarantee Paychecks During Government Shutdowns
This bill was recently introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Appropriations. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Passage Likelihood
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill guarantees that federal employees, active-duty military members, and certain government contractors continue receiving their paychecks during any government shutdown. It covers standard pay, allowances, benefits, and other regular payments.
From policy text
“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 covered individuals with respect to the agency”
View in full text - The bill covers all three branches of government, not just the executive branch. This means workers in Congress and the federal courts are also protected from missed paychecks during funding gaps.
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 automatic funding kicks in whenever regular or continuing appropriations lapse for any agency, starting in fiscal year 2026 and every year after that. It stays active until Congress passes new funding legislation.
From policy text
“For fiscal year 2026, and any fiscal year thereafter, for any period during which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations for that fiscal year are not in effect for an agency”
View in full text - The bill includes a retroactive effective date of September 30, 2025, which is the last day of fiscal year 2025. This would ensure any funding gap that occurred around that date is also covered.
- Once Congress does pass regular appropriations, any money spent under this bill gets charged back to those regular funding accounts. This means the bill does not create separate long-term spending but rather bridges the gap.
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
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Related News
2 articlesSenate Democrats block GOP effort to pay federal workers during shutdown
A push by Senator John Kennedy to pass the Pay the People Act was met with objections on the Senate floor. The bill would have ensured that federal workers in all three branches of government continued to receive paychecks despite the lapse in appropriations that has shuttered much of the government.
Government shutdown enters 37th day as Senate remains deadlocked on pay bills
As the government shutdown reaches a record 37 days, Senator John Kennedy’s Pay the People Act failed to gain traction. The bill, which seeks to automate pay for federal workers during funding lapses, was blocked by leadership who argue it removes the incentive for Congress to pass a full budget.
Related Bills
2 billsSource Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Pay the People Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.