S. 2982 · 119th Congress
Federal Employees Civil Relief Act
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D
SchatzSponsor19 cosponsors · 18 D, 1 I
D
Alsobrooks
TB
D
Baldwin
RB
D
Blumenthal
CB
D
Booker
CC
D
Cortez Masto
RD
D
Durbin
TD
D
Duckworth
KG
D
Gillibrand
MH
D
Hirono
MH
D
Heinrich
AK
D
Klobuchar
TK
D
Kaine
AP
D
Padilla
BS
I
Sanders
CS
D
Schumer
CV
D
Van Hollen
MW
D
Warner
EW
D
Warren
JM
D
Merkley18 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Oct 7, 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 the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act
Latest action (Oct 7, 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Oct 7, 2025
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.