Sponsors (9)
The bill keeps USDA disaster-assistance operations running during government shutdowns—benefiting farmers and rural communities—but does so at some fiscal cost and with broader exception authority that reduces workforce-management flexibility and creates uncertainty about who is excepted.
Farmers, agricultural workers, and disaster-affected rural communities continue to receive agricultural disaster assistance and experience fewer delays in credit, loans, and other emergency aid during government shutdowns because USDA staff supporting those programs must keep working.
Treated employees gain temporary protection from reductions in force and the Secretary’s broad authority to designate 'Congressional disaster programs' creates uncertainty about which positions are excepted during a shutdown, reducing agency flexibility to manage workforce needs and creating operational ambiguity for federal and state partners.
Taxpayers may incur additional costs because employees continue working during a lapse without an immediate appropriation, increasing complexity around pay and potential backpay obligations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires certain USDA staff to continue working on defined agricultural disaster programs during funding lapses and protects them from RIF while so designated.
Official title: To provide for the continuation of agricultural disaster assistance programs in the event of a Government shutdown.
Introduced October 8, 2025 by April McClain Delaney · Last progress October 8, 2025
Makes certain USDA staff who run agricultural disaster assistance programs required to keep working during a government funding lapse and protects them from furlough-related removals. It also defines which disaster assistance programs are covered so aid operations can continue during shutdowns or other lapses in appropriations.