BOPEN Act of 2025

# BOPEN Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** The BOPEN Act (Bureau of Prisons Earnings Now Act) would ensure that Bureau of Prisons staff continue to receive pay during a government shutdown. Normally, when Congress fails to pass a budget and the government shuts down, many federal employees stop getting paychecks. This bill would provide funding specifically to keep BOP employees paid during shutdowns in fiscal years 2026 or 2027. However, the bill excludes top-level BOP officials who require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation from this protection. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects thousands of Bureau of Prisons employees—including correctional officers, support staff, and administrative personnel—who would otherwise lose income during a shutdown.

Indirectly, it affects the federal prison system's operations and the incarcerated individuals in federal custody who depend on staff to maintain facility operations. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, a Republican from New Jersey.