Dan Sullivan

Shutdown Fairness Act

This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown.

Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.

A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency.

The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.

Shutdown Fairness Act

This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide pay and allowances to excepted employees who are required to work during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown).

Under current law, excepted employees are required to work during a government shutdown and are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown.

A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency.

This resolution supports the designation of October 5-11, 2025, as National 4–H Week and recognizes the important role of 4–H as the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Agriculture.

This resolution designates October 4, 2025, as National Energy Appreciation Day.

Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to wildland firefighters in recognition of their strength, resiliency, sacrifice, and service to protect the forests, grasslands, and communities of the United States.

Native American Entrepreneurial and Opportunity Act of 2025

This bill provides statutory authority for the establishment of the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The office must establish a working relationship with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations by targeting SBA programs relating to entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access to revitalize Native businesses and economic development in Indian country.

This resolution supports the designation of November 16, 2025, as National Warrior Call Day and encourages individuals to engage with warriors (i.e., members of the Armed Forces and veterans) to connect and provide support.

This resolution condemns the assassination of Charlie Kirk, extends condolences and sympathies to his family, and honors his commitment to civil discussion and debate.

Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act

This bill provides for permanent coverage under Medicare of certain pharmacist services.

Specifically, the bill provides for permanent coverage of testing and treatment services provided by pharmacists relating to (1) COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat); and (2) other public health needs in relation to a declared public health emergency. (Similar authorities were temporarily granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency.) Such services must be provided in accordance with the applicable state laws governing pharmacists' scope of practice.

Rural Veterinary Workforce Act

This bill excludes from gross income, for federal tax purposes, payments received pursuant to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program or any state loan repayment or loan forgiveness program that is intended to provide for increased access to veterinary services. (The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program is a Department of Agriculture program that repays a portion of the student loans of veterinarians who provide short-term services in designated veterinary shortage areas.)

Military Spouse Hiring Act

This bill allows employers to claim a tax credit for a percentage of qualified wages paid to an employee who is a military spouse by expanding the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to add qualified military spouses as a targeted group. (The WOTC applies to employers who hire members of specific targeted groups, such as veterans, ex-felons, and long-term unemployment recipients, and is generally equal to a percentage of the wages paid to such individuals in the first year of employment, up to a maximum amount. Under current law, the wages must be paid before 2026.)

The bill defines a qualified military spouse as any individual who is certified by a state workforce agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.

This resolution designates July 2025 as American Grown Flower and Foliage Month and urges the people of the United States to showcase U.S.-grown flowers and foliage.