H.R. 5619 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act
Cosponsors: 41 (41 D, 0 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-10
Introduced: 2025-09-30
Latest action (2025-09-30): Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What H.R. 5619 does, in plain terms
Federal Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act This bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to pay federal firefighters if a government shutdown is in effect. It also prohibits the firefighters from being subject to a reduction in force (RIF) during a government shutdown. Specifically, the bill provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to provide pay and allowances to federal firefighters during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). The bill provides the appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027. The bill also prohibits federal firefighters from being removed from the civil service due to a RIF during a government shutdown.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
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