# 119-hr-5874: Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act

119-hr-5874, Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6] (R-VA); status introduced (as of 2026-10-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5874
- As of: 2026-10-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-5874
- Congress: 119
- Title: Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-10-31
- Sponsor: Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6] (R-VA)
- Cosponsors: 112
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-21

## Summary

**Keep firearm background checks and export licensing operational during federal funding lapses.** This bill would treat specific firearm enforcement and licensing activities as emergency functions and classify the staff who run them as excepted employees. - Federal employees in the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System and the ATF Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services would be eligible to keep working during a lapse in appropriations. - People buying firearms and licensed dealers would face fewer interruptions because background checks that support ATF enforcement could continue to be processed. - Exporters and companies applying for firearm export licenses would continue to have applications processed by the Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security and the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.

## Cosponsors (112)

- Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL), 2026-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3] (R-IN), 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8] (R-TX), 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3] (R-MO), 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] (R-TX), 2026-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1] (R-MS), 2026-10-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (R-GA), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38] (R-TX), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1] (R-AL), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large] (R-WY), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8] (R-NC), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10] (R-GA), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7] (R-GA), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27] (R-TX), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14] (R-TX), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7] (R-MO), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4] (R-CO), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4] (R-TN), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11] (R-FL), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5] (R-TX), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1] (R-SC), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5] (R-WI), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] (R-IA), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13] (R-TX), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3] (R-LA), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2] (R-MT), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6] (R-FL), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2] (R-WV), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3] (R-SC), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1] (R-ID), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3] (R-CO), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6] (R-IN), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1] (R-MD), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10] (R-NC), 2025-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5] (R-VA), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26] (R-TX), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] (R-KY), 2025-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8] (R-MN), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1] (R-KS), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11] (R-TX), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (R-OH), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15] (R-IL), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6] (R-OH), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] (R-NE), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4] (R-MS), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK), 2025-12-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] (R-TX), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large] (R-ND), 2026-04-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4] (R-UT), 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24] (R-NY), 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4] (R-MO), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] (R-WI), 2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10] (R-PA), 2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5] (R-SC), 2026-07-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7] (R-FL), 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7] (R-SC), 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2] (R-OH), 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23] (R-NY), 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15] (R-PA), 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9] (R-AZ), 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9] (R-NC), 2026-08-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2] (R-IN), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5] (R-LA), 2026-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4] (R-FL), 2026-08-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17] (R-TX), 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] (R-VA), 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3] (R-FL), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2] (R-TN), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1] (R-FL), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6] (R-NC), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12] (R-IL), 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4] (R-SC), 2026-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1] (R-MI), 2026-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8] (R-TN), 2026-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17] (R-FL), 2026-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12] (R-TX), 2026-09-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5] (R-MI), 2026-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5] (R-CO), 2026-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8] (R-WI), 2026-09-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8] (R-MO), 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4] (R-MI), 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13] (R-FL), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15] (R-FL), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2] (R-SC), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13] (R-PA), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7] (R-OH), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7] (R-TN), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] (R-PA), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3] (R-WI), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2] (R-OK), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36] (R-TX), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19] (R-FL), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3] (R-AL), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3] (R-MS), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3] (R-TN), 2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18] (R-FL), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1] (R-OK), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14] (R-PA), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1] (R-MT), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3] (R-NC), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] (R-TX), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8] (R-FL), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8] (R-OH), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9] (R-GA), 2026-09-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3] (R-GA), 2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9] (R-IN), 2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7] (R-WI), 2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9] (R-VA), 2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6] (R-TN), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] (R-AZ), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7] (R-MN), 2026-09-16T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Gun checks and exports continue in shutdowns: benefit, high. If enacted, gun background checks would keep running during a federal shutdown. The bill would treat this work as emergency, so staff could keep working. Covered work includes the FBI background check system and ATF enforcement programs and services. The Commerce Department and the State Department…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025
- 119-hr-404: Hearing Protection Act
- 119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act
- 119-hr-987: Fair Access to Banking Act
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-45: FIND Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-5874 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5874)

## Related
- [119-hr-38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-38)
- [119-hr-404: Hearing Protection Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-404)
- [119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-425)
- [119-hr-987: Fair Access to Banking Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-987)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-45: FIND Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-45)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5874 (as of 2026-10-21).