S. 3012 — Shutdown Fairness Act

This section provides automatic appropriations, for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, of such sums as necessary to pay standard rates of compensation, allowances, differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees of federal agencies during any lapse in interim or full-year appropriations. The section defines excepted employees to include agency-determined essential personnel, supporting contractors required to work during lapses, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty; it terminates the funding upon enactment of regular or continuing appropriations for the agency, prohibits obligations while a continuing resolution is in effect, requires that obligations be charged to the applicable full-year appropriation once enacted, and takes effect retroactively as if enacted on September 30, 2025.