The Senate and House have reached agreement on a bipartisan measure to end the 2025 federal government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—restoring full operations across federal departments and ensuring that federal employees receive back pay and job protection. 

Key Provisions of the Shutdown-Ending Legislation 

Although the bill’s formal number has not yet been posted on Congress.gov, the legislation functions as a continuing resolution (CR) combined with three full-year appropriations bills. It is expected to pass both chambers and be signed into law within days. Major provisions include: 

1. Restoration of Government Funding: The bill funds most agencies at current fiscal-year levels through January 30, 2026, ending furloughs and reopening shuttered programs. Three agencies—USDA (including APHIS, FSIS, and ARS), the Department of Veterans Affairs/Military Construction, and the Legislative Branch—receive full-year appropriations. 

2. Guaranteed Back Pay for Federal Employees: All federal employees—both those furloughed and those working without pay—will receive retroactive compensation for the shutdown period. This expands upon the protections in the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, reaffirming Congress’s commitment to prevent financial harm to civil servants. 

3. Prohibition on Reductions-in-Force (RIFs): The bill temporarily prohibits mass layoffs, hiring freezes, or reductions-in-force in federal agencies through January 30, 2026. This ensures workforce stability as operations resume and agencies recover from delayed program work. 

4. Continuity of Benefits and Leave Accrual: Federal benefits—including health insurance, retirement, and leave accrual—remain uninterrupted. Agencies have been directed to retroactively credit leave and service time for the shutdown period. 

5. State and Contractor Reimbursements: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL VETERINARIANS States that incurred expenses covering essential federally supported programs (e.g., inspection and laboratory services) will be reimbursed. Contractor pay protections vary by agency, but most service contracts will resume with back payments authorized. 

6. Short-Term Extension with Future Negotiations: The CR gives Congress until January 30, 2026, to complete remaining FY 2026 appropriations bills. This temporary measure prevents another lapse while providing federal employees stability during the holiday season and beyond. 

Implications for NAFV Members 

For NAFV members across USDA, HHS (including FDA and CDC), and other departments: 

• Paychecks will resume immediately, and retroactive pay will be automatically processed through agency payroll systems. 
• Mission-critical programs—including animal disease surveillance, food safety inspection, laboratory diagnostics, and regulatory review—will restart without staffing reductions. 
• The FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act includes a key provision long advocated by NAFV that allows the APHIS Administrator to grant exemptions to the annual premium pay cap for employees responding to emergency animal or plant disease outbreaks. The language reads: 
  

This is a significant victory for NAFV members, ensuring that veterinarians and other APHIS employees working long hours during emergencies are fully compensated for their service. 

NAFV’s Ongoing Advocacy 

The National Association of Federal Veterinarians remains engaged with Congressional committees and agency leadership to: 

•  Ensure the new premium pay cap exemption remains a permanent part of future appropriations; 
•  Support language that protects the veterinary workforce pipeline within USDA and HHS during post-shutdown recovery; and NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL VETERINARIANS
• Advocate for long-term solutions to prevent future shutdown disruptions to essential public and animal health functions.
  
  

In short: Federal veterinarians and their colleagues can expect prompt back pay, continued benefits, and restored operations. NAFV will continue to monitor implementation of the funding bill and will update members as further details on agency-specific impacts are released.