Pay the People Act
Sponsored By: Senator John Kennedy
Introduced
Summary
Guarantee pay for federal workers during funding gaps. This bill would require agencies to keep paying wages, benefits, allowances, and regular payments to covered people when an agency lacks interim or full-year appropriations. It applies to fiscal year 2026 and later for periods without appropriations.
Show full summary
- Federal employees: Would continue receiving standard pay and regular benefits during an agency funding gap so they do not miss scheduled wages.
- Contractors and active-duty military: Defines covered individuals to include contractors who support employees and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, so they could also get paid during gaps.
- Agencies and funding mechanics: Would let agency heads draw needed amounts from Treasury money not otherwise appropriated until Congress enacts appropriations that cover those purposes or explicitly omits them.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Keep federal paychecks during lapses
If enacted, the bill would use Treasury money to keep regular federal pay and benefits flowing during funding lapses. Covered individuals would include federal employees, contractors who support employees, and active-duty military. It would apply in fiscal year 2026 and later when an agency has no continuing or full-year appropriations.
Limits on agency use of backstop funds
If enacted, the bill would keep backstop funds available until Congress either passes appropriations that cover the same purposes or passes appropriations that do not. The bill would bar agencies from obligating backstop funds while continuing appropriations for those purposes are in effect. Costs paid from the backstop would later be charged to the agency's appropriation when Congress enacts regular or continuing appropriations.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
John Kennedy
LA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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