Pay the People Act

Summary

Pay the People Act This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees during a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to agency employees (including contractors and members of the Armed Forces on active duty) 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). 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 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

Assigned to a committee for review.

House Committee on Appropriations · U.S. House of Representatives

Also referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations · U.S. Senate.

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Related bills

• H.R. 5801Shutdown Fairness ActRelated bill
• S. 3012Shutdown Fairness ActRelated bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Oct 28, 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in U.S. Senate

   U.S. Senate

2. Oct 28, 2025

   Referred to committee

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

3. Oct 28, 2025

   Referred to committee

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

4. Oct 28, 2025

   Referred to committee

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Read the record

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