# 119-s-2995: Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act

119-s-2995, Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2995
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-2995
- Congress: 119
- Title: Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-10-09
- Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Guidance for banks to shield people during federal shutdowns.** This bill would define who counts as a consumer or business affected by a shutdown and require federal financial regulators to issue joint guidance on lender practices within set deadlines. - Workers and families: Federal employees who are furloughed or exempted would be explicitly named as consumers affected, so lenders would be encouraged to recognize lost pay and temporary hardship. - Contractors and small businesses: Federal contractors and businesses that suffer a substantial drop in income would be counted as affected consumers and businesses, drawing lender attention to revenue shortfalls. - Banks and credit reporters: Regulators would urge banks and credit unions to consider loan modifications or new credit consistent with safe lending and to prevent modified arrangements from being reported in ways that hurt borrowers. - Regulator deadlines for initial action: Regulators must issue the guidance within 180 days of enactment and publish a press release within 24 hours after a shutdown begins. - Reporting and updates: Regulators must report to Congress on guidance effectiveness within 90 days after a shutdown ends and update the guidance within 180 days if shortcomings are found.

## Cosponsors (6)

- Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD] (D-MD), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (D-VA), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Who counts as affected by shutdown: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would define who is an "affected consumer" and which businesses count as affected. You would be an affected consumer if you are a Federal employee furloughed or excepted from furlough, a District of Columbia employee not paid because of a shutdown, or an employee whose pay fell…
- Financial guidance during government shutdowns: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would require the main Federal financial regulators to issue joint shutdown guidance within 180 days of enactment encouraging banks and lenders to help affected consumers and businesses. The guidance would ask institutions to recognize lost access to credit, consider prudent lo…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-2982: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act

## Sources
- [119-s-2995 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2995)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2763)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-2982: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2982)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2995 (as of 2026-04-21).