Clergy Act
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 by Rep. Vince Fong
Both chambers passed it. It's headed to the President to be signed or vetoed.
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
- Sep 30, 2026Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5298)
- Sep 30, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Sep 30, 2026Senate Committee on Finance discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Apr 28, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Apr 27, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 27, 2026On 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, 2026Passed/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)
- Apr 27, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119)
- Apr 27, 2026At 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, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 227.
- Apr 27, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3115-3116)
- Apr 27, 2026Mr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Jan 7, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.
- Jan 7, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
- Dec 10, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- Dec 10, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jan 7, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Jan 7, 2025Introduced in House