A Republican bill with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 267.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The "Shutdown Fairness Act" aims to provide funding for the pay and allowances of Federal employees, contract employees, and members of the Armed Forces during a lapse in appropriations. It provides for "standard employee compensation" to be paid to covered employees regardless of whether they were subject to furlough. The bill ensures that agencies can pay these individuals even when regular appropriations are not in effect. For the 2026 fiscal year, it mandates that specific payments be made as soon as practicable after the Act is enacted. This funding is intended to cover the period of the lapse in regular appropriations.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +1
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill ensures continuous income for federal employees and contractors during government shutdowns.
- Scored +1
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill protects the wages of federal employees regardless of whether they are furloughed.
- Scored +1
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill ensures standard employee compensation for federal employees during funding gaps.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill appropriates new funds to cover employee compensation during lapses in appropriations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Guaranteed Pay for Federal Employees: The bill provides funds for standard employee compensation to covered employees during a lapse in appropriations (Section 2(b)(1)(A)). This applies regardless of whether the individual was subject to a furlough (Section s 2(j)).
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Support for Contract Employees: It provides payments to agencies so they can provide standard employee compensation to covered contract employees (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).
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Protection for Armed Forces and Reserve Members: The bill includes members of the Armed Forces on active duty and members of a reserve component performing active service or inactive duty training (Section 2(a)(4)(B)).
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Timely Compensation during Specific Lapses: For the period between October 1, 2025, and the date of enactment, the bill requires agencies to provide compensation as soon as practicable, but no later than 7 days after enactment (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Fund Usage: The funds provided may not be used for any purpose other than providing standard employee compensation to covered employees or paying contractors to provide that compensation (Section 2(g)).
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Limitations on Agency Spending: The appropriations may not be obligated by an agency during any period when continuing appropriations for those specific purposes are already in effect (Section 2(e)).
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Requirement of Duties: Covered employees and covered contract employees are expected to perform their typical duties to the maximum extent practicable during a lapse in regular appropriations (Section 2(k)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill ensures continuous income for federal employees and contractors during government shutdowns. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill protects the wages of federal employees regardless of whether they are furloughed. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill ensures standard employee compensation for federal employees during funding gaps.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill appropriates new funds to cover employee compensation during lapses in appropriations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill provides for the pay and allowances of members of the Armed Forces and reserve components during a lapse in appropriations.
- 4/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/10/2025
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 267.
- 11/9/2025
- Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Rand PaulRepublican · Kentucky
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida