Shutdown Fairness Act This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown. Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty. A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency. The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 482 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing November 3-7, 2025, as "National Veterans Small Business Week." It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges veteran-owned small businesses, which employ nearly 3.3 million people and generate over $952 billion in annual sales. The resolution expresses support for these businesses and appreciation for veterans' entrepreneurship, while highlighting the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship’s annual observance of this week. It has no direct impact on regulations, funding, or veteran business operations.
Maddy summaryThe Shadow Wolves Improvement Act (S 572) updates the Shadow Wolves Program within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to improve staffing, recruitment, and program expansion. It requires ICE to define the program’s mission with tribal partners (including the Tohono O'odham Nation), set staffing targets for special agents, and create a 180-day strategy with measurable goals for retention and recruitment. The bill mandates that current tactical officers receive detailed information about reclassifying as special agents, including pay, training, and eligibility changes, and establishes a plan to fill vacancies from retirements. It also directs ICE to develop criteria for expanding the program to additional tribal lands and requires a congressional report on implementation progress within one year.
Maddy summaryThis bill ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It authorizes funds from the Treasury to cover pay and allowances for active-duty service members, reserves, military support civilians (including Coast Guard staff), and qualifying contractors if regular budget appropriations aren't approved. The funding remains available until the earliest of: a new budget passing, a continuing resolution without this funding, or January 1, 2027. It directly affects all active-duty military, reserve components, and civilian/contractor support staff within the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.
Maddy summarySRES 475 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 1, 2025 (the first Saturday of November) as "National Bison Day." It directly affects all Americans by officially recognizing this date for public observance. The resolution acknowledges bison's historical, cultural, and economic significance, particularly to Native American tribes and rural communities, and builds on an existing annual tradition celebrated since 2012. The Senate encourages the public to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, though the resolution contains no new laws or funding.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 26, 2025, as "Day of the Deployed," continuing an annual Senate tradition established in 2011. It symbolically honors deployed U.S. military personnel and their families, calling for public reflection on their service. The resolution does not create new laws or benefits but encourages citizens to observe the day with ceremonies recognizing military contributions. It specifically references the service of over 2 million deployed troops since 9/11 and the ongoing global military presence.
Maddy summaryS 3030, the Pay Our Military Act of 2025, ensures that active-duty military members, reservists, civilian Defense personnel, and supporting contractors continue receiving pay and essential benefits during any funding gap in fiscal year 2026. It appropriates necessary funds from the Treasury to cover pay, allowances, housing, travel, and other payments if Congress hasn’t passed full-year appropriations by September 30, 2026. These funds are charged to future appropriations when regular funding is enacted, preventing delays in military compensation. The bill takes effect retroactively as of September 30, 2025, to cover any missed payments during the prior fiscal year.
Maddy summaryS 3031, the Keep America Flying Act of 2026, provides temporary funding to ensure continued pay and benefits for critical aviation personnel during the 2025-2026 federal budget gap. It appropriates funds for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners, and their contractors who support flight safety and security operations. This funding covers standard pay, allowances, and benefits for these staff until regular appropriations are enacted or by September 30, 2026. The bill directly affects FAA and TSA employees and contractors whose work is essential to maintaining safe air travel.
Maddy summarySRES 457 is a symbolic resolution designating the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week" in recognition of the coal industry's historical and ongoing contributions to U.S. energy, military readiness, and economic stability. It highlights coal's role in providing 19.5% of U.S. electricity in 2022, its global significance (36% of global electricity), and progress in reducing emissions from coal power plants. The resolution does not create new policy or affect specific groups, as it is purely commemorative. It was introduced by Senators Lummis, Hoeven, Lee, and others.
Maddy summaryThe Employee Rights Act (S 2984) amends key labor laws to change union representation processes and worker classification. It requires secret ballot elections for collective bargaining (Section 2), prohibits non-lawfully-status employees from voting in union elections (Section 3), and establishes privacy protections for employee information used in organizing efforts (Section 4). The bill also changes how workers are classified as employees versus independent contractors (Section 5) and creates a new "independent negotiating" option for workers who leave unions (Section 7). These changes directly affect union representation processes, employee classification, and privacy protections for workers across various industries.