HR 5619
Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, aims to guarantee that federal firefighters continue to receive their pay and allowances even if the government shuts down. It provides funding for fiscal year 2026 to cover these payments during any period of government shutdown, and it prohibits firefighters from being laid off due to a reduction in force during such shutdowns. The funding will remain available until appropriations are enacted, or until January 1, 2027.
Key provisions
- Provides continuing appropriations for federal firefighter pay and allowances during government shutdowns.
- Prohibits reductions in force (RIFs) of federal firefighters during government shutdowns.
- Funds are available until appropriations are enacted or January 1, 2027.
- Defines ‘Federal firefighter’ as an employee whose duties primarily involve fire control and extinguishment.
Who is affected
- Federal Firefighters
- Executive Agencies
- Military Departments
- Congress
- Treasury Department
Notable changes
- Specifically addresses pay and allowances for federal firefighters during government shutdowns.
- Creates a prohibition on firefighter layoffs during government shutdowns, overriding other potential reduction-in-force policies.
Fiscal impact
This bill provides for continuing appropriations for federal firefighters during a government shutdown, but does not explicitly state the total fiscal impact.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5619
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To ensure continuity of pay and allowances for Federal firefighters and protect Federal firefighters from reductions in force in the event of a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
.
Appropriations and funds made available and authority granted pursuant to this section shall be available until the earlier of—
the date of the enactment of an appropriation (including a continuing appropriation) for any purpose for which amounts are made available under subsection (a);
the date of the enactment of the applicable regular or continuing appropriations resolution or other Act without any appropriation for such purpose; or
January 1, 2027.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during any period in which there is a lapse in discretionary appropriations, no Federal firefighter may be removed from the civil service due to a reduction in force.
In this Act:
The terms civil service, Executive agency, and military department have the meanings given such term in sections 2101, 105, and 102, respectively, of title 5, United States Code.