H.R. 5619 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Sep 30, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps federal firefighters paid during shutdowns
When the government shuts down because Congress hasn't approved a budget, federal firefighters usually stop getting paychecks. This bill would keep paying them anyway. It also protects them from being laid off during a shutdown, so they can stay in their jobs while the government figures out its finances.
How it affects you
If you're a federal firefighter, this means you'd keep getting your regular pay and benefits even if a government shutdown happens. You also wouldn't risk losing your job during the shutdown. For everyone else, it means the federal firefighters working to protect lives and property would stay on the job and fully staffed, even if the government isn't fully funded.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 30, 2025)
Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
This bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to pay federal firefighters if a government shutdown is in effect. It also prohibits the firefighters from being subject to a reduction in force (RIF) during a government shutdown.
Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to provide pay and allowances to federal firefighters during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). The bill provides the appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.
The bill also prohibits federal firefighters from being removed from the civil service due to a RIF during a government shutdown.
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. 5619
A BILL
Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Janelle S. Bynum (D-OR-5) · Introduced Sep 30, 2025 · Economics and Public Finance · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 30, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”