Shutdown Fairness Act

Summary

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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Your position on this bill

Choose the position closest to yours. You'll sign in or create an account to save it.

Cosponsors

Related bills

• H.R. 5801Shutdown Fairness ActIdentical bill
• S. 3001Shutdown Fairness ActRelated bill
• S. 3066Pay the People ActRelated bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Nov 7, 2025

   Passed a chamber

   Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (CR S7996)

   U.S. Senate

2. Nov 7, 2025

   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.

   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.

   U.S. Senate

3. Nov 7, 2025

   Introduced

   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.

   U.S. Senate

4. Oct 23, 2025

   Motion by Senator Thune to Reconsider the Vote by Which Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 3012 Was Not Invoked (record Vote No. 585) Made in Senate.

   Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3012 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 585) made in Senate.

   U.S. Senate

5. Oct 21, 2025

   Cloture Motion on the Motion to Proceed to the Measure Presented in Senate. (cr S7185)

   Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S7185)

   U.S. Senate

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.