I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5874 
To ensure that certain operations, functions, and services of the Federal 
Government relating to enforcement of firearms laws and firearm export 
licensing continue during a lapse in appropriations. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 31, 2025 
Mr. CLINE (for himself, Mr. CARTER of Georgia, Mr. HUNT, Mr. MOORE of 
Alabama, Ms. HAGEMAN, Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina, Mr. COLLINS, 
Mr. MCCORMICK, Mr. CLOUD, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. BURLISON, Ms. 
BOEBERT, Mr. DESJARLAIS, Mr. WEBSTER of Florida, Mr. GOODEN, Ms. 
MACE, Mr. FITZGERALD, Mr. FEENSTRA, Mr. JACKSON of Texas, Mr. 
HIGGINS of Louisiana, Mr. DOWNING, Mr. FINE, and Mr. MOORE of 
West Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on For-
eign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the juris-
diction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To ensure that certain operations, functions, and services 
of the Federal Government relating to enforcement of 
firearms laws and firearm export licensing continue dur-
ing a lapse in appropriations. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:52 Nov 04, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5874.IH
H5874
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Firearm Access During 
Shutdowns Act’’. 
SEC. 2. CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN FIREARM-RELATED 
OPERATIONS DURING GOVERNMENT SHUT-
DOWNS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The operations, functions, and 
services described in subsection (b) shall be deemed to re-
late to an emergency involving the safety of human life 
or the protection of property for purposes of section 1342 
of title 31, United States Code, and the employees car-
rying out those operations, functions, and services shall 
be deemed to be excepted employees, as defined in section 
1341(c) of that title. 
(b) OPERATIONS, FUNCTIONS, AND SERVICES.—The 
operations, functions, and services described in this sub-
section are the operations, functions, and services of— 
(1) the National Instant Criminal Background 
Check System of the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion, including the processing of background checks 
in support of the operations of the Directorate of 
Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau 
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; 
(2) the Directorate of Enforcement Programs 
and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms and Explosives; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:52 Nov 04, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5874.IH
H5874
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(3) the Bureau of Industry and Security of the 
Department of Commerce relating to firearms and 
firearm-related products, including activities related 
to processing of applications for export licenses; and 
(4) the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls 
of the Department of State relating to firearms and 
firearm-related products, including activities related 
to processing of applications for export licenses. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
22:52 Nov 04, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5874.IH
H5874
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB