Help FEDS Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 5572Labor and Employment

Help FEDS Act

INTRO SEP 26· LAST ACTION SEP 26

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Passed Senate

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because government shutdowns can create significant financial hardship for federal employees and their families, even for those who are required to work. Without their regular paychecks, many struggle to cover essential living expenses like rent, mortgages, groceries, and utilities.

If this bill becomes law, it would provide a safety net for these workers during future shutdowns in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, preventing some of the financial stress and instability they currently face. If it doesn't become law, these 'excepted' federal employees would continue to work without pay during shutdowns and wait for potential back pay, as is currently the practice, without the interim support of unemployment benefits.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires states to offer unemployment benefits to 'excepted' federal employees who work without pay during a government shutdown in fiscal years 2026 or 2027.

This provides a critical temporary income source for federal workers who are required to continue their duties during a shutdown but are not receiving their regular salary.

PROVISION 02

Mandates that 'excepted' federal employees repay unemployment benefits if they later receive back pay for the same period.

This provision prevents employees from being paid twice for the same period and ensures the efficient use of unemployment funds.

PROVISION 03

The federal government will fully reimburse states for all unemployment compensation paid to 'excepted' federal employees and for any related administrative costs.

This ensures that states are not financially burdened by the expanded unemployment compensation requirement and encourages their participation.

PROVISION 04

Defines an 'excepted Federal employee' as a federal worker who must perform emergency work during a shutdown but is not being paid due to the lack of funds.

This clarifies precisely which federal employees are eligible for the benefits outlined in the bill, preventing ambiguity.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

SEP 26

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

SEP 26

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 5572

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedSep 26, 2025

Last actionSep 26, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 26, 2025

House BillHR 5572Labor and Employment

Help FEDS Act

INTRODUCED SEP 26, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 26, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

3 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires states to offer unemployment benefits to 'excepted' federal employees who work without pay during a government shutdown in fiscal years 2026 or 2027.

This provides a critical temporary income source for federal workers who are required to continue their duties during a shutdown but are not receiving their regular salary.

med

Mandates that 'excepted' federal employees repay unemployment benefits if they later receive back pay for the same period.

This provision prevents employees from being paid twice for the same period and ensures the efficient use of unemployment funds.

high

The federal government will fully reimburse states for all unemployment compensation paid to 'excepted' federal employees and for any related administrative costs.

This ensures that states are not financially burdened by the expanded unemployment compensation requirement and encourages their participation.

med

Defines an 'excepted Federal employee' as a federal worker who must perform emergency work during a shutdown but is not being paid due to the lack of funds.

This clarifies precisely which federal employees are eligible for the benefits outlined in the bill, preventing ambiguity.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

fiscal year 2026 or 2027

States must allow unemployment compensation for 'excepted' Federal employees during a lapse in appropriations.

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
100 percent of the total amount of unemployment compensation and any additional administrative expenses	Unemployment compensation for 'excepted' Federal employees	discretionary	fiscal year 2026 or 2027

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Repayment of unemployment compensation, treated as an overpayment under State law	Excepted Federal employees who receive back pay for periods for which they also received unemployment compensation

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Excepted Federal Employee: A federal employee who is required to continue working during a government shutdown (due to emergency duties) even though they are not being paid because of a lack of government funding.
Lapse in Appropriations: This refers to a government shutdown, which occurs when Congress fails to pass legislation that provides funding for government operations for the upcoming fiscal year, leading to a halt in non-essential services.
Unemployment Compensation: Money paid by a state government to eligible individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own, designed to provide temporary financial support.
Social Security Act: A landmark law passed in 1935 that established a system of old-age benefits for retirees, as well as benefits for the unemployed, and aid to families with dependent children, among other provisions. This bill amends a section related to unemployment.
Unemployment Trust Fund: A federal fund that collects unemployment taxes and holds the money that is then distributed to states to pay unemployment benefits and cover administrative costs.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

SEP 26, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

SEP 26, 25

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

INTROREFERRAL

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Help FEDS Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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BILL INFO

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Help FEDS Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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