H.R. 5974 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Nov 7, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryGuarantees prison staff pay during shutdowns
When the federal government runs out of money and shuts down, this bill makes sure the Bureau of Prisons still has funding to pay its employees. It covers both correctional officers and other staff who work at BOP facilities, so they continue getting paychecks even when regular government funding lapses.
How it affects you
If you work for the Bureau of Prisons, this means you'd continue receiving your salary during a government shutdown instead of going unpaid. For the general public, it helps ensure that prisons continue operating with their full staff during funding gaps.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Nov 7, 2025)
Bureau of Prisons Pay Protection Act
This bill provides appropriations for the salaries of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) personnel during any lapse in discretionary appropriations for any fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). During a lapse in appropriations, the bill provides appropriations for the salaries of correctional and non-correctional personnel at BOP facilities.
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. 5974
A BILL
Bureau of Prisons Pay Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-7) · Introduced Nov 7, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Nov 7, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”