PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 28, 2025
Pay the People Act
This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees during a government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to agency employees (including contractors and members of the Armed Forces on active duty) during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown).
A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying employees of the agency.
The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
People & committees
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] · R–LA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jul 6, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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