Contact Congress about H.R. 5953: Protect Military and Federal Employees from Unfair Bank Fees Act

During a government shutdown, this bill would block certain overdraft/insufficient-funds fees and some credit-card late fees for covered federal workers and service members who are furloughed or working without pay. It applies only during the shutdown period and does not cancel the underlying debts.

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.

Protect Military and Federal Employees from Unfair Bank Fees Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Latest action on H.R. 5953: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Who this affects: The bill mainly affects federal civil service employees, members of the Armed Forces, and other uniformed service members when they are furloughed or required to work without pay during a government shutdown. It also affects banks and other financial institutions that manage deposit accounts, and credit card issuers that set and collect late fees, because they would have to turn off certain fees during the shutdown window for qualifying customers and accounts.

Why this matters: When the government shuts down, some federal workers and service members can lose pay temporarily or be required to work without getting paid on time. That can cause missed or delayed payments and low account balances, which often trigger overdraft charges, insufficient-funds fees, or credit-card late fees. This bill aims to prevent those extra fees from piling on during the shutdown window for the people who qualify. The text does not spell out the broader economic effects, and it leaves normal fee rules in place outside shutdown periods.

Key provisions in H.R. 5953

• During the covered shutdown window, a bank or similar financial institution could not charge fees tied to not having enough money to cover a debit on a covered person’s account.
• A credit card issuer could not charge a late fee when a covered person’s payment due date lands during the covered shutdown window.
• Only people in the civil service, the Armed Forces, or other uniformed services qualify—and only if they are furloughed or required to work without pay during the funding gap.
• The “covered period” is any time one or more federal agencies are operating without appropriations in effect, which is the shutdown situation.
• A federal government purchase card issued to a covered person for official business is treated as a “credit card” for these protections.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5953

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.

Questions people ask about H.R. 5953

What is H.R. 5953?

During a government shutdown, this bill would block certain overdraft/insufficient-funds fees and some credit-card late fees for covered federal workers and service members who are furloughed or working without pay. It applies only during the shutdown period and does not cancel the underlying debts.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 5953?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 5953?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5953 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.