Sponsors (34)
The bill would provide targeted reimbursements for childcare costs incurred during the Oct 1, 2025 lapse, improving financial relief for affected federal employees, but the payments depend on future appropriations and require receipt-based verification that creates administrative work.
Federal employees (and their families) who were furloughed or worked without pay on Oct 1, 2025 would be reimbursed for childcare costs they paid during that lapse (subject to future appropriations).
Federal employees who submit receipts will have reimbursements targeted to documented childcare expenses, reducing the risk of improper payments and protecting taxpayer funds.
Federal employees and their families may not actually receive promised childcare reimbursements because payments are contingent on future appropriations.
Federal employees and the General Services Administration will face added administrative burden: employees must gather and submit receipts and GSA must verify them, increasing paperwork and processing workload.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes reimbursement—subject to appropriations—for childcare costs paid by federal employees furloughed or working without pay during the lapse in appropriations beginning on or about Oct 1, 2025, with receipts filed to GSA.
Official title: To provide reimbursement to certain Federal employees for childcare expenses during the lapse in appropriations beginning on or about October 1, 2025.
Introduced October 8, 2025 by Ilhan Omar · Last progress October 8, 2025
Requires the federal government to reimburse federal employees who were furloughed or worked without pay during the lapse in appropriations beginning on or about October 1, 2025, for documented childcare expenses they paid during that lapse. Reimbursement is payable only if funds are appropriated and employees submit receipts to the General Services Administration.