HR 227 119th Congress House Social Welfare Congressional oversight Income tax exclusion Religion Social security and elderly assistance Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Clergy Act

Introduced: January 7, 2025 Introduced by: Fong, Vince Republican · California See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Apr 28, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Apr 27, 2026

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Apr 27, 2026

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)

Apr 27, 2026

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119)

Apr 27, 2026

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

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 227.

Apr 27, 2026

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3115-3116)

Apr 27, 2026

Mr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

Apr 27, 2026

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)

Jan 7, 2026

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.

Jan 7, 2026

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.

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

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Jan 7, 2025

Introduced in House

Votes taken on this bill 1

Date	Chamber	What was voted on	Result	Yes–No
Apr 27, 2026	House · vote #139	On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended	Passed	350–5	See who voted →

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now April 28, 2026

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Committees of jurisdiction 2