H.R. 5708 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and House Administration, 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, Oct 8, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProtects federal workers during government shutdowns
When a government shutdown happens—either because Congress doesn't pass a budget or the debt limit is hit—this bill gives federal employees and contractors legal protection. Workers who are furloughed or required to work without pay can ask a court to temporarily pause their obligations to pay rent, mortgages, taxes, insurance premiums, student loans, and other bills during the shutdown. The bill also prevents evictions, foreclosures, and insurance cancellations during this period.
How it affects you
If you're a federal employee or contractor, this bill directly protects you during a shutdown by giving you a way to pause your financial obligations while you're not getting paid. It means landlords can't evict you and banks can't foreclose on your home just because the government temporarily ran out of money. For most other people, this doesn't create direct changes, though it does affect how creditors and landlords can treat federal workers during shutdowns.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Oct 8, 2025)
Federal Employees Civil Relief Act
This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown.
Under the bill, a shutdown is a period in which (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department because a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution has not been enacted, or (2) the debt of the federal government is greater than the statutory limit.
A federal worker (i.e., an employee of a government agency or contractor) who is furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown may apply to a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension with respect to any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or other civil obligation or liability that the worker owes or would owe during the duration of the shutdown.
The bill includes related provisions that restrict evictions, foreclosures, the enforcement of liens, and the termination of insurance policies during a shutdown. It also provides for the deferral of federal income taxes and student loan payments during a shutdown.
The Department of Justice may commence a civil action against any person who engages in (1) a pattern or practice of violating the requirements of this bill, or (2) a violation that raises an issue of significant public importance. A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill's requirements may also bring a private right of action.
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. 5708
A BILL
Federal Employees Civil Relief Act
Sponsor: Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-2) · Introduced Oct 8, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 8, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and House Administration, 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.”
Sections
Sections · 13
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2PurposeNo change
- Sec. 3DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 4JurisdictionNo change
- Sec. 5Anticipatory reliefNo change
- Sec. 6EvictionsNo change
- Sec. 7Mortgage protection and foreclosuresNo change
- Sec. 8LiensNo change
- Sec. 9Student loansNo change
- Sec. 10Income taxesNo change
- Sec. 11Insurance protectionNo change
- Sec. 12Protection of rightsNo change
- Sec. 13EnforcementNo change