Federal agencies could not remove civil service workers during a shutdown caused by a funding gap. If an agency breaks that rule, the worker could choose to return after the shutdown and get back pay.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes. is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Latest action on H.R. 5599: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects federal civil service workers at agencies hit by a shutdown funding gap. It could give those workers more job protection during a budget standoff. It also affects federal agencies because they would have less power to remove employees during that period, even when normal work is disrupted.
Why this matters: Shutdowns already leave federal workers unsure about pay and work status. This bill would add one clear protection: agencies could not remove civil service workers during a covered shutdown. That could reduce fear of permanent job loss during budget fights. It could also make it harder for agencies to deal with serious staff problems until the shutdown ends.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Officially: To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes.
Federal agencies could not remove civil service workers during a shutdown caused by a funding gap. If an agency breaks that rule, the worker could choose to return after the shutdown and get back pay.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR5599. Modern Action explains To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes. in plain English, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. (9/26/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to To prohibit the removal of Federal employees during any lapse in discretionary appropriations, and for other purposes., then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it would do, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR5599, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.