Bill · S. 3165· Senate(119-S-3165)
True Shutdown Fairness Act
- Introduced
- 11/7/2025
- Last activity
- 11/7/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "True Shutdown Fairness Act" provides funding for the pay and allowances of Federal employees during a lapse in appropriations that started on October 1, 2025. It covers agency employees, contract employees, active duty members of the Armed Forces, and certain reserve components. The bill also requires agencies to adjust contract prices to compensate contractors for reasonable costs related to employee pay and leave during the shutdown. Additionally, it prohibits agencies from implementing reductions in force or placing employees on administrative leave for more than 10 work days per year during the lapse.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
Reimburses contractors for costs related to employee pay and leave.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+5
Ensures financial stability for the large population of middle-class federal employees.
Would union members be better off under this?+5
Provides pay guarantees and job protections for many unionized federal workers.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The bill increases spending by providing funds for salaries and contract adjustments during a shutdown.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-3
Increases spending without an offsetting revenue source.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-2
Appropriating additional funds for pay during a lapse increases government spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Guaranteed Pay and Benefits: Under Section 2(b), covered individuals receive standard rates of pay, allowances, benefits, and other regular payments despite the lapse in appropriations. This provides financial stability for federal workers and military members.
-
Contractor Compensation: Section 2(c) allows for the adjustment of contract prices to compensate contractors for costs incurred to pay employees who were furloughed, laid off, or had reduced hours or pay during the shutdown.
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Restoration of Paid Leave: Section 2(c)(3)(B) allows contractors to be compensated for restoring paid leave that employees were required or permitted to use because of the lapse in appropriations.
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Job Protection: Section 3(b)(1) prohibits the use of funds to propose or implement a reduction in force or similar efforts to permanently reduce the number of agency employees during the covered lapse.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Union Workers+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5Improves Economic Growth+2Reduces Government Spending-5Improves Fiscal Responsibility-3Reduces National Debt-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Reduces Military Spending-2
- 11/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia