Bill > HR7322

This bill, titled the "True Shutdown Fairness Act," aims to ensure that federal employees and contractors are paid during periods when Congress fails to pass necessary funding, known as a "lapse in regular appropriations," specifically for fiscal year 2026. It defines "agency" broadly to include all branches of the U.S. government and certain District of Columbia public employers, and "contract employee" as someone whose work for a government contractor could be halted by a funding lapse. A "covered employee" is any agency employee, regardless of whether they were deemed essential or furloughed during a lapse, including members of the Armed Forces on active duty or reservists performing service. "Standard employee compensation" refers to an employee's regular pay, benefits, and allowances. The bill appropriates necessary funds to agencies to provide this standard compensation to covered employees and to contractors for their contract employees during any lapse in appropriations. It also mandates that agencies adjust contract prices to cover reasonable costs incurred by contractors to pay their employees during a lapse, even if the contract doesn't typically allow for such adjustments. Furthermore, the bill prohibits agencies from using any funds to propose or implement permanent workforce reductions or place employees on administrative leave for more than 10 days during a funding lapse.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7322/all-info