Bill > S3012

This bill provides a mechanism for paying federal employees and certain contractors who are required to work during a government shutdown (referred to as a "lapse in appropriations"). Specifically, the bill automatically appropriates funds to pay "excepted employees" - which includes government workers deemed essential, members of the Armed Forces on active duty, and contractors supporting those workers - their standard pay and benefits during periods when regular government funding is not in effect. These appropriations would be available from fiscal year 2026 onward and would remain in effect until either regular appropriations are passed or until continuing appropriations are enacted. The bill ensures that these workers receive their normal compensation during shutdown periods, charging the payments to the agency's regular appropriation once it is eventually passed. Notably, the bill has a retroactive effective date of September 30, 2025, meaning it would apply to any government shutdowns occurring from that point forward. By creating this automatic funding mechanism, the bill aims to protect workers who are required to continue working during congressional budget impasses, ensuring they are not financially penalized for continuing to perform critical government services during funding gaps.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3012/all-info