H.R. 227Passed HouseSOCIAL WELFARE
Clergy Act
Congressional oversight · Income tax exclusion · Religion
Key facts
Introduced: Jan 7, 2025
Chamber: House
Cosponsors: 21
Congress: 119th
Latest action · Apr 28, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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.
Summary by Congressional Research Service.
Floor Votes
House Roll Call #139 · Apr 27, 2026
House Roll Call #139 · Apr 27, 2026
Timeline
- 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.
- 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
- Jan 7, 2025Introduced in House
Cosponsors
- Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] D-CA
- Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16] R-PA
- Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6] R-AZ
- Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16] R-IL
- Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1] D-WA
- Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11] R-PA
- Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2] R-IN
- Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4] R-KS
- Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] R-NE
- Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] R-OH
- Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1] R-TX
- Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12] R-FL
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24] R-NY
- Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3] R-NC
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19] D-CA
- Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24] R-TX
- Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5] R-LA
- Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21] D-CA
- Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] D-NY
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] D-IL
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] R-PA
In the News
- Press Release: House Passes Bipartisan Clergy Act Introduced by Congressman Vince Fong - Quiver Quantitative
- House Passes Clergy Act with Overwhelming Bipartisan Support - Legis1
- Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 227 - Clergy Act - Quiver Quantitative
- Clergy Act advances from House Ways and Means Committee - Baptist Press
- Letter urging confirmation of International Religious Freedom Ambassador-Designate Mark Walker - The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
- Reps. Cockley, Ritter Testify on Bipartisan Bill to Improve Missing Persons Database Connections - Ohio House of Representatives (.gov)
- Charted: The H.R. 1 bills that have received bipartisan support - Axios
- Can we further define patient groups who benefit from immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC? - ESMO Daily Reporter
- ‘Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act' would protect millions of acres - The Wilderness Society
- About - Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (.gov)
View official record on Congress.gov →