Pay Our Capitol Police Act
Pay Our Capitol Police Act
Plain Language Summary
# Pay Our Capitol Police Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would ensure that U.S. Capitol Police officers and their support staff continue to receive paychecks and benefits during a government shutdown. Specifically, it would provide funding for salaries, overtime, hazardous duty pay, bonuses, and employee benefits for Capitol Police officers who must work during a shutdown, as well as civilian employees who support them.
The bill would also cover payments to contractors providing services to the police force during the shutdown. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly affects Capitol Police officers and civilian support staff who work at the Capitol building. It ensures these essential personnel—who must continue working even when the government shuts down—don't face unpaid furloughs like other federal employees might during a shutdown. **Current Status:** The bill (S 3073) was introduced by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Pay Our Capitol Police ActThis bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) to pay and provide benefits for employees who are working during a government shutdown.The bill provides the appropriations for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). Specifically, the bill provides the appropriations to the USCP for salaries, overtime pay, hazardous duty pay, recruitment and retention bonuses, and employee benefits for (1) members of the USCP who are excepted employees (i.e., required to work) or are performing emergency work during the shutdown, and (2) civilian employees who are providing support to the members.The bill also provides appropriations for payments to USCP contractors who are providing support to the members of the USCP who are working during the shutdown. The appropriations provided by this bill may not be used during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for these purposes. The appropriations are available until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of legislation to provide FY2026 appropriations for the USCP or the legislative branch (including continuing appropriations), or (2) September 30, 2026.The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on October 1, 2025.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.