Bill > S3070

This bill provides student loan relief for federal employees during government shutdowns, defined as periods of lapse in agency appropriations lasting 14 days or more. The bill covers both federal employees (whether furloughed or working without pay) and certain contractors who support those employees. During such shutdown periods in fiscal year 2026 and beyond, the Secretary of Education must suspend all student loan payments for these "covered individuals" under federal student loan programs. During the suspension, no interest will accrue on the suspended loans, and each suspended month will be counted as if a payment was made for the purposes of loan forgiveness programs. The bill also requires that credit reporting agencies treat suspended payments as if they were regularly made payments, protecting borrowers' credit scores. Additionally, the bill allows the Secretary of Education to retroactively refund loan payments made by covered individuals during shutdown periods if requested. The bill would take effect as if it were enacted on September 30, 2025, providing a forward-looking mechanism to protect federal workers from financial strain during potential future government shutdowns.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3070/all-info