HR 227
Clergy Act
Summary
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.
Bill status
- Status
- Passed House
- Sponsor
- Rep. Vince Fong [R-CA-20]
- Cosponsors
- 21
- Policy area
- Social Welfare
- Introduced
- 2025-01-07
- Latest action
- 2026-04-28: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Committee referrals
Recent actions
- 2026-04-28: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2026-04-27: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-04-27: 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)
- 2026-04-27: Passed/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)
- 2026-04-27: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119)