H.R. 5599 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Sep 26, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProtects federal jobs during government shutdowns
This bill would prevent federal employees from being fired when the government shuts down because lawmakers haven't approved spending bills. If someone is wrongly removed from their job during a shutdown, they'd have the right to get their job back once funding is restored, plus they'd be paid for the time they were out of work.
How it affects you
If you work as a federal employee, this gives you job security during shutdowns. For the public, it means the federal workforce could potentially be more stable during budget disputes, though most people won't directly feel the effects unless they work for the federal government.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 26, 2025)
This bill prohibits the removal of federal employees from the civil service during a government shutdown due to a lapse in discretionary appropriations. If an employee is removed from the civil service in violation of this bill, the employee may elect to be reinstated with back pay on the date on which the lapse in appropriations ends.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5599
A BILL
To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-2) · Introduced Sep 26, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 26, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.”