H.R. 5657: Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025
Sponsor
Ayanna Pressley
Democrat · MA-7
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Sep 30, 2025
Referred to Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Extend shutdown back pay to contract workers
Why it matters
During the October 2025 shutdown, federal employees were guaranteed back pay when funding returned. Contract workers — security guards, cleaners, food service staff, and laborers on federal projects — weren't. H.R. 5657 would extend shutdown back pay to those workers, capped at $1,442 per week.
Federal employees have a guarantee: if Congress lets funding lapse, they're sent home, but they get back pay when the government reopens. That guarantee was written into law in 2019.
Contract workers don't have one. Janitors, food service staff, security guards, and construction laborers working on federal contracts can lose hours, get furloughed, or burn through vacation when an agency closes its doors. The companies that employ them often can't bill the government for time their crews didn't work.
H.R. 5657 would let agencies adjust the price of affected contracts so contractors can be reimbursed for paying workers back wages — or for restoring leave that workers had to use. It applies to the shutdown that began on or about October 1, 2025, and any further lapse during fiscal year 2026.
The catch: weekly compensation is capped at $1,442 or the worker's actual weekly pay, whichever is lower. Part-time workers get a prorated cap. Contractors have to document the labor costs they actually incurred. And the bill's funding is open-ended — 'such sums as may be necessary' — so the total price tag depends on how long shutdowns last and how many workers file claims.
H.R. 5657 Bill Summary
What H.R. 5657 actually does.
Contract workers get shutdown back pay
Affected agencies must adjust contract prices so contractors can be reimbursed for paying workers who were furloughed, laid off, stopped working, lost hours, or had pay reduced because of the funding lapse.
Restored vacation if workers had to burn it
If a contractor required or permitted workers to use paid leave during the shutdown, the company can be reimbursed for restoring that leave to the worker's bank.
$1,442 weekly cap
Reimbursable pay tops out at the worker's actual weekly compensation or $1,442 per week, whichever is lower. Part-time workers get a prorated cap based on their schedule.
Overrides contract fine print
Agencies can make these payment adjustments even if a contract's original terms didn't allow them or appeared to block them.
Contractors must prove what they paid
Companies seeking reimbursement have to document the labor costs they actually incurred. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy helps agencies set evidence standards.
Public report on who got paid
Within a year of enactment, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy must publish a report listing each agency that made adjustments and how many contractor and subcontractor employees were affected and compensated.
Who benefits from H.R. 5657?
Federal service contract workers
Cleaners, food service staff, security guards, and other service employees on federal contracts. Many earn at or below the $1,442 weekly cap, meaning they could be reimbursed at their full pay rate.
Construction laborers and mechanics on federal projects
Workers on federally funded construction sites covered by Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rules could be reimbursed if work stops because an agency's funding lapses.
Subcontractor employees
The required public report explicitly counts subcontractor workers, indicating the bill is meant to reach beyond prime contractors to the workers actually performing the labor.
Contractors who paid workers during the October 2025 shutdown
Companies that absorbed payroll costs to keep workers whole during the lapse could be reimbursed instead of eating the loss.
Who is affected by H.R. 5657?
Federal agencies hit by shutdowns
Affected agencies would have to review claims, adjust contract prices, and distribute reimbursements as soon as practical after enactment.
Federal contractors and subcontractors
Companies seeking reimbursement would need to document their actual labor costs and payroll impacts. Without documentation, no payment.
Office of Federal Procurement Policy
The OFPP would help agencies set evidence standards and would publish a public report within one year of enactment listing agencies and worker totals.
Federal budget
The bill appropriates 'such sums as may be necessary,' so the total cost is open-ended. It depends on shutdown length, the number of affected contractor workers, and how many claims agencies approve.
What Congress Is Saying
H.R. 5657 hasn't been debated on the floor yet.
This section updates when a legislator speaks about it on the floor or in committee.
HR5657 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Sep 30, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
About the Sponsor
Ayanna Pressley
Democrat, Massachusetts's 7th congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Cosponsors (135)
This bill has 135 cosponsors: 134 Democrats, 1 Republican. Cosponsors represent 33 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, and 30 more.
Donald Norcross
Democrat · NJ
Eleanor Norton
Democrat · DC
Yassamin Ansari
Democrat · AZ
Becca Balint
Democrat · VT
Nanette Barragán
Democrat · CA
Joyce Beatty
Democrat · OH
Donald Beyer
Democrat · VA
Suzanne Bonamici
Democrat · OR
Shontel Brown
Democrat · OH
Nikki Budzinski
Democrat · IL
Greg Casar
Democrat · TX
Sean Casten
Democrat · IL
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Oversight and Government Reform Committee
18 of 47 committee members cosponsored
Appropriations Committee
15 of 62 committee members cosponsored
16 Democrats across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5657 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Oversight and Government Reform
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- Sep 30, 2025
Referred to Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review
Sep 30, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with full text, status, cosponsors, and committee actions for the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025.
Government Publishing Office's authoritative copy of the introduced bill text.
The 2019 law that guarantees federal employees back pay during shutdowns — the gap H.R. 5657 would close for contract workers.
The bill defines 'employee' and 'compensation' by reference to this statute, which covers cleaners, food service, security, and maintenance workers on federal service contracts.
The bill also covers laborers and mechanics on federal construction projects under this prevailing-wage statute (Section 3142).
The Federal Acquisition Regulation rules that govern how agencies write and administer the service and construction contracts subject to this bill.
OMB houses the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, which the bill tasks with helping agencies set evidence standards and reporting to Congress on adjustments made.
H.R. 5657 Common Questions
Would I get back pay as a federal contract worker if H.R. 5657 passes?
Not directly. The bill reimburses contractors who paid their workers — it doesn't send checks to workers. You'd still depend on your employer choosing to pay you and then filing for reimbursement from the federal agency.
What's the $1,442 weekly cap in the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act?
It's the maximum weekly compensation a contractor can be reimbursed for per worker — roughly $75,000 a year. If you earn less, the contractor gets reimbursed at your actual weekly rate. Part-time workers get a prorated cap based on hours worked.
Does H.R. 5657 cover subcontractor employees during a shutdown?
The required public report explicitly counts subcontractor employees, indicating the bill is meant to reach both prime contractors and their subs. Subcontractor workers would still depend on the prime contractor seeking and passing through the reimbursement.
What about contract workers who had to use vacation during the shutdown?
Contractors can be reimbursed for restoring paid leave that workers were required or permitted to use during the lapse. If you burned PTO during the October 2025 shutdown, your employer could potentially have those days credited back to your bank.
Does the bill cover reduced hours or only full furloughs?
Both. Contractors can claim reimbursement for workers who were furloughed, laid off, stopped working, lost hours, or had pay reduced because of the funding lapse — not just total furloughs.
Can my contractor get paid even if our contract says no shutdown reimbursement?
Yes. The bill explicitly says agencies may make these adjustments regardless of whether the original contract allows or prohibits them. Overriding contract terms is the central legal mechanism — without it, most contracts would block reimbursement.
Which contract workers does H.R. 5657 actually cover?
Service employees under the Service Contract Act (cleaners, food service, security, maintenance) and laborers or mechanics under Davis-Bacon (federal construction work). Other contractor categories like IT consultants, engineers, or professional staff aren't covered.
Does H.R. 5657 apply to future shutdowns or only the October 2025 one?
Both. The funding covers the lapse that began on or about October 1, 2025, and any subsequent lapse in fiscal year 2026. It doesn't extend automatically to FY2027 or beyond — Congress would have to renew it.
Based on H.R. 5657 bill text
H.R. 5657 Bill Text
“To provide back pay to Federal contractors, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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