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119th Congress Crime and Law Enforcement

H.R. 5874: Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Oct 31, 2025
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Oct 31, 2025

This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown.

The bill applies to

  • the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF);
  • the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services;
  • the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and
  • the activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses.
Read the full summary

Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shutdown because they fall under this or other exceptions are known as excepted employees.)

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

111

Who scored on this bill

18 points earned
  1. 1Ben Cline R-VA SponsorIntroduced, reached a cosponsor milestone4 events+18
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Ben Cline

History

  1. Oct 31, 2025Introduced in the House by Ben Cline.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
  1. Oct 31, 2025Introduced in House
  2. Oct 31, 2025Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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.