Bills · 119th Congress · Social Welfare

Clergy Act

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · 4/27/26Suspension of the rulesA fast-track House procedure, usually for measures expected to have broad support. Debate is limited to 40 minutes, no amendments can be offered, and it needs a two-thirds vote of members voting — not a simple majority. A yes vote passes the bill. “As amended” means changes written into the motion itself are included.Rules of the House, Rule XV, clause 1 ↗
Passed
  • Democratic183 Yea · 1 Nay · 28 Not voting
  • Republican166 Yea · 4 Nay · 46 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

Clergy Act

This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment.

The IRS must develop a plan to inform members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the bill's changes.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Vince Fong ( Republican · CA-20)
Cosponsors
21
Introduced
1/7/25
Policy area
Social Welfare
Status
1/7/25Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
1/7/25Introduced in House
12/10/25Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
12/10/25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
1/7/26Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.
1/7/26Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
4/27/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4/27/26On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 350 - 5 (Roll no. 139). (text: CR H3115-3116)
4/27/26Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 350 - 5 (Roll no. 139). (text: CR H3115-3116)
4/27/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119)
4/27/26At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4/27/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 227.
4/27/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3115-3116)
4/27/26Mr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
4/28/26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.