118th Congress Government Operations and Politics
S. 640: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown.
Under the bill, a shutdown is a period in which (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department because a regular appropriations bill or a continuing resolution has not been enacted, or (2) the debt of the federal government is greater than the statutory limit.
A federal worker (i.e., an employee of a government agency or contractor) who is furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown may apply to a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension with respect to any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or other civil obligation or liability that the worker owes or would owe during the duration of the shutdown.
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The bill includes related provisions that restrict evictions, foreclosures, the enforcement of liens, and the termination of insurance policies during a shutdown. It also provides for the deferral of federal income taxes and student loan payments during a shutdown.
The Department of Justice may commence a civil action against any person who engages in (1) a pattern or practice of violating the requirements of this bill, or (2) a violation that raises an issue of significant public importance. A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill's requirements may also bring a private right of action.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Sherrod Brown D-OHOriginal
- Richard Blumenthal D-CTOriginal
- Benjamin Cardin D-MDOriginal
- Catherine Cortez Masto D-NVOriginal
- Tammy Duckworth D-ILOriginal
- Dianne Feinstein D-CAOriginal
- Mazie Hirono D-HIOriginal
- Amy Klobuchar D-MNOriginal
- Timothy Kaine D-VAOriginal
- Robert Menendez D-NJOriginal
- Jeff Merkley D-OROriginal
- Alejandro Padilla D-CAOriginal
- Bernard Sanders I-VTOriginal
- Chris Van Hollen D-MDOriginal
- Mark Warner D-VAOriginal
- Elizabeth Warren D-MAOriginal
Who scored on this bill
- 1Brian Schatz SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced2 events+6
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
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History
- Introduced in the Senate by Brian Schatz.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.