119th Congress
H.R. 227
Clergy Act
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became law
- Sponsor
- Vince Fong(R-CA)
- Introduced
- Jan 7, 2025
- Policy area
- Social Welfare
- Committees
- House Committee on Ways and Means; Senate Committee on Finance
- Official text
- Referred in Senate · Congress.gov page
Cosponsors (21)
Original cosponsors (2)
- Mike Kelly (R-PA)
- Mike Thompson (D-CA)
Added later (19)
- Darin LaHood (R-IL) · Jan 9, 2025
- Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) · Jan 9, 2025
- Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA) · Jan 9, 2025
- Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) · Jan 31, 2025
- Rudy Yakym III (R-IN) · Jun 10, 2025
- Adrian Smith (R-NE) · Jul 21, 2025
- Ron Estes (R-KS) · Jul 21, 2025
- Mike Carey (R-OH) · Jul 22, 2025
- Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) · Jul 23, 2025
- Gus M. Bilirakis (R-FL) · Jul 25, 2025
- Claudia Tenney (R-NY) · Sep 8, 2025
- Gregory F. Murphy (R-NC) · Sep 9, 2025
- Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) · Sep 15, 2025
- Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) · Sep 18, 2025
- Julia Letlow (R-LA) · Sep 18, 2025
- Jim Costa (D-CA) · Oct 21, 2025
- Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY) · Nov 17, 2025
- Danny K. Davis (D-IL) · Nov 25, 2025
- Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) · Dec 9, 2025
Summary
Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version
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.
Roll-call votes
| Date | Vote | Result | Your members |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 2026 House #139 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: Clergy Act | Passed | Set your home to see |
Actions
- Sep 30, 2026 · Senate
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5298) - Sep 30, 2026
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. - Sep 30, 2026 · Senate
Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent. - Apr 28, 2026 · Senate
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. - Apr 27, 2026 · House
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. - Apr 27, 2026 · 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) - Apr 27, 2026 · House
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119) - Apr 27, 2026 · House
At 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. - Apr 27, 2026 · House
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 227. - Apr 27, 2026 · House
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3115-3116) - Apr 27, 2026 · House
Mr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. - Jan 7, 2026 · House
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370. - Jan 7, 2026 · House
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425. - Dec 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0. - Dec 10, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held - Jan 7, 2025 · House
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. - Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in House