S. 3073 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Oct 29, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryEnsures Capitol Police pay during shutdowns
When the federal government shuts down and runs out of money, most agencies stop operating. This bill makes sure the Capitol Police can keep paying their officers and civilian staff who have to keep working anyway. It covers their salaries, overtime, hazards pay, bonuses, benefits, and even contractors who support them during the shutdown.
How it affects you
If you're a Capitol Police officer or work in their support roles, this bill means you'd keep getting paid even if the government shuts down. For most other federal employees and the public, this doesn't directly apply, though it ensures the Capitol Police force stays staffed during budget gaps.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Oct 29, 2025)
Pay Our Capitol Police Act
This bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) to pay and provide benefits for employees who are working during a government shutdown.
The bill provides the appropriations for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). Specifically, the bill provides the appropriations to the USCP for salaries, overtime pay, hazardous duty pay, recruitment and retention bonuses, and employee benefits for (1) members of the USCP who are excepted employees (i.e., required to work) or are performing emergency work during the shutdown, and (2) civilian employees who are providing support to the members.
The bill also provides appropriations for payments to USCP contractors who are providing support to the members of the USCP who are working during the shutdown.
The appropriations provided by this bill may not be used during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for these purposes.
The appropriations are available until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of legislation to provide FY2026 appropriations for the USCP or the legislative branch (including continuing appropriations), or (2) September 30, 2026.
The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on October 1, 2025.
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 SessionS. 3073
A BILL
Pay Our Capitol Police Act
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) · Introduced Oct 29, 2025 · Congress · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 29, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.”