Sponsors (74)
The bill protects federal employees' jobs, pay, and well-being during shutdowns and supports workforce continuity, but it increases costs for taxpayers and limits agency flexibility while adding administrative and legal burdens.
Federal employees who are removed during a funding lapse would be eligible for reinstatement and back pay when appropriations resume, preserving their jobs and income.
Federal agencies retain workforce continuity and institutional knowledge because employees face less pressure to leave government service during shutdowns.
Federal employees may experience reduced stress and financial uncertainty because the bill creates a clear remedy (reinstatement and back pay) for unlawful removals during shutdowns.
Taxpayers may face increased payroll costs because agencies would pay reinstated employees and back pay after a shutdown ends.
Agencies could have reduced flexibility to furlough, restructure, or reallocate staff during prolonged funding lapses, which may hinder mission operations and resource planning.
Agencies and taxpayers may incur additional administrative and legal costs as agencies defend or implement reinstatement claims, complicating post-shutdown workforce management.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Bars agencies from removing civil service employees during a funding lapse shutdown and allows reinstatement with back pay if removal occurs.
Prohibits a federal agency from removing career (civil service) employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations that causes a government shutdown for that agency. If an employee is removed in violation of this prohibition, the employee may choose reinstatement with back pay under existing law once the lapse ends.
Official title: To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 26, 2025 by Johnny Olszewski · Last progress September 26, 2025