Pay Our Military Act

Pay Our Military Act

This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown).

Specifically, the bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service or inactive-duty training during the period; and (2) civilian employees and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces.

If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027. 

Update Date: 2025-10-18 00:00:00

Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act

Stop Stealing Our Jobs Act

This bill prohibits the President or the head of an executive agency from removing a federal employee from the civil service (e.g., as part of a reduction in force) during a lapse in discretionary appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) unless the employee is a political appointee. 

Update Date: 2025-10-17 00:00:00

Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown.

Under the bill, a shutdown is a period in which (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department because a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution has not been enacted, or (2) the debt of the federal government is greater than the statutory limit.

A federal worker (i.e., an employee of a government agency or contractor) who is furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown may apply to a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension with respect to any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or other civil obligation or liability that the worker owes or would owe during the duration of the shutdown.

The bill includes related provisions that restrict evictions, foreclosures, the enforcement of liens, and the termination of insurance policies during a shutdown. It also provides for the deferral of federal income taxes and student loan payments during a shutdown.

The Department of Justice may commence a civil action against any person who engages in (1) a pattern or practice of violating the requirements of this bill, or (2) a violation that raises an issue of significant public importance. A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill's requirements may also bring a private right of action.

Update Date: 2025-10-18 00:00:00

Keep the Heat On Act of 2025

Keep the Heat On Act of 2025

This bill provides appropriations for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) during any period in FY2026 in which there is a lapse in discretionary appropriations (i.e., a government shutdown). 

Under LIHEAP, the federal government makes annual grants to states, tribes, and territories to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. The bill provides appropriations to continue making LIHEAP payments during a government shutdown in FY2026 at a rate that is equal to the rate for the corresponding month of FY2025. 

Update Date: 2025-10-17 00:00:00

FARM SAFE Act

Federal Agricultural Relief Maintained during Shutdowns And Federal Emergencies Act or the FARM SAFE Act

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue activities related to agricultural disaster assistance programs during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown).

Specifically, the bill provides that any USDA employee necessary to carry out an agricultural disaster assistance program (1) must be treated as an excepted employee who is required to perform work during a lapse in appropriations, and (2) may not be removed under a reduction in force.

Update Date: 2025-10-17 00:00:00

Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act

Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act

This bill directs financial regulators—including the Federal Reserve Board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration—to jointly issue guidance relating to a government shutdown.

Specifically, financial regulators must issue guidance encouraging financial institutions to

• work with consumers and businesses affected by a shutdown,
• recognize that consumers and businesses affected by a shutdown may lose access to credit and face temporary hardship in making payments on debts,
• consider efforts to modify terms on existing loans or extend new credit to assist consumers and businesses affected by a shutdown, and
• take steps to prevent adverse credit information from being reported in a manner that harms consumers affected by a shutdown.

In addition, financial regulators must jointly issue a press release to notify financial institutions, consumers, and businesses of this guidance in the event of a government shutdown.

Financial regulators must also complete a report after a government shutdown regarding the guidance's effectiveness and update the guidance if any shortcoming are identified in the report. 

Update Date: 2025-10-18 00:00:00