Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr227 · built from our database

Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)

Clergy Act

H.R. 227 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 227119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 01/07/2025REP. FONGR-CA · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: DW-NOMINATE +0.45 (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEAN RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)SOCIAL WELFARE

22 members · Left 4 · Center 3 · Right 15 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. Fong, Vince (R-CA) (Introduced 01/07/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.45 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 22 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Finance Committee; House - Ways and Means Committee; House - Ways and Means Committee; House - Ways and Means Committee
Latest Action04/28/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Roll Call Votes1
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in House (01/07/2025)

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.

Text (4)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 227 EH: Clergy Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 227

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Clergy Act.

2.Revocation by members of the clergy of exemption from social security coverage (a)In generalNotwithstanding section 1402(e)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exemption which has been received under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church, a member of a religious order, or a Christian Science practitioner, and which is effective for the taxable year in which this Act is enacted, may be revoked by filing an application therefor (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue), if such application is filed no later than the due date of the Federal income tax return (including any extension thereof) for the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2028. Any such revocation shall be effective (for purposes of chapter 2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)), as specified in the application, either with respect to the applicant’s first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2028, or with respect to the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after such date, and for all succeeding taxable years; and the applicant for any such revocation may not thereafter again file an application for an exemption under such section 1402(e)(1). If the application is filed after the due date of the applicant’s Federal income tax return for a taxable year and is effective with respect to that taxable year, it shall include or be accompanied by payment in full of an amount equal to the total of the taxes that would have been imposed by section 1401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to all of the applicant’s income derived in that taxable year which would have constituted net earnings from self-employment for purposes of chapter 2 of such Code (notwithstanding paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1402(c)) except for the exemption under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code. (b)Effective dateSubsection (a) shall apply with respect to service performed (to the extent specified in such subsection) in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028, and with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual for months in or after the calendar year in which such individual’s application for revocation (as described in such subsection) is effective (and lump-sum death payments payable under such title on the basis of such wages and self-employment income in the case of deaths occurring in or after such calendar year).

3.Report to congressNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a plan to inform duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church, members of a religious order, and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke any prior election of exemption from Social Security participation. Passed the House of Representatives April 27, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 227 IH: Clergy Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-01-07 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 227IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 7, 2025Mr. Fong (for himself, Mr. Thompson of California, and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansA BILLTo allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Clergy Act.2.Revocation by members of the clergy of exemption from social security coverage(a)In generalNotwithstanding section 1402(e)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exemption which has been received under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church, a member of a religious order, or a Christian Science practitioner, and which is effective for the taxable year in which this Act is enacted, may be revoked by filing an application therefor (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue), if such application is filed no later than the due date of the Federal income tax return (including any extension thereof) for the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2027. Any such revocation shall be effective (for purposes of chapter 2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)), as specified in the application, either with respect to the applicant’s first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2027, or with respect to the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after such date, and for all succeeding taxable years; and the applicant for any such revocation may not thereafter again file an application for an exemption under such section 1402(e)(1). If the application is filed after the due date of the applicant’s Federal income tax return for a taxable year and is effective with respect to that taxable year, it shall include or be accompanied by payment in full of an amount equal to the total of the taxes that would have been imposed by section 1401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to all of the applicant’s income derived in that taxable year which would have constituted net earnings from self-employment for purposes of chapter 2 of such Code (notwithstanding paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1402(c)) except for the exemption under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code.(b)Effective dateSubsection (a) shall apply with respect to service performed (to the extent specified in such subsection) in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2027, and with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual for months in or after the calendar year in which such individual’s application for revocation (as described in such subsection) is effective (and lump-sum death payments payable under such title on the basis of such wages and self-employment income in the case of deaths occurring in or after such calendar year).3.Report to congressNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a plan to inform duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church, members of a religious order, and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke any prior election of exemption from Social Security participation.

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 227 : Clergy Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-04-28 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 227IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESApril 28, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceAN ACTTo allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Clergy Act.2.Revocation by members of the clergy of exemption from social security coverage(a)In generalNotwithstanding section 1402(e)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exemption which has been received under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church, a member of a religious order, or a Christian Science practitioner, and which is effective for the taxable year in which this Act is enacted, may be revoked by filing an application therefor (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue), if such application is filed no later than the due date of the Federal income tax return (including any extension thereof) for the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2028. Any such revocation shall be effective (for purposes of chapter 2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)), as specified in the application, either with respect to the applicant’s first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2028, or with respect to the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after such date, and for all succeeding taxable years; and the applicant for any such revocation may not thereafter again file an application for an exemption under such section 1402(e)(1). If the application is filed after the due date of the applicant’s Federal income tax return for a taxable year and is effective with respect to that taxable year, it shall include or be accompanied by payment in full of an amount equal to the total of the taxes that would have been imposed by section 1401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to all of the applicant’s income derived in that taxable year which would have constituted net earnings from self-employment for purposes of chapter 2 of such Code (notwithstanding paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1402(c)) except for the exemption under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code.(b)Effective dateSubsection (a) shall apply with respect to service performed (to the extent specified in such subsection) in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028, and with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual for months in or after the calendar year in which such individual’s application for revocation (as described in such subsection) is effective (and lump-sum death payments payable under such title on the basis of such wages and self-employment income in the case of deaths occurring in or after such calendar year).3.Report to congressNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a plan to inform duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church, members of a religious order, and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke any prior election of exemption from Social Security participation.Passed the House of Representatives April 27, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Reported in House (RH)

119 HR 227 RH: Clergy Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-01-07 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 370119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 227[Report No. 119–425]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 7, 2025Mr. Fong (for himself, Mr. Thompson of California, and Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and MeansJanuary 7, 2026Additional sponsors: Mr. Ciscomani, Mr. LaHood, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Smucker, Mr. Yakym, Mr. Estes, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. Carey, Mr. Moran, Mr. Bilirakis, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Panetta, Ms. Van Duyne, Ms. Letlow, Mr. Costa, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Davis of Illinois, and Mr. FitzpatrickJanuary 7, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 7, 2025A BILLTo allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Clergy Act.2.Revocation by members of the clergy of exemption from social security coverage(a)In generalNotwithstanding section 1402(e)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exemption which has been received under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code by a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church, a member of a religious order, or a Christian Science practitioner, and which is effective for the taxable year in which this Act is enacted, may be revoked by filing an application therefor (in such form and manner, and with such official, as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue), if such application is filed no later than the due date of the Federal income tax return (including any extension thereof) for the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after December 31, 2028. Any such revocation shall be effective (for purposes of chapter 2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.)), as specified in the application, either with respect to the applicant’s first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2028, or with respect to the applicant’s second taxable year beginning after such date, and for all succeeding taxable years; and the applicant for any such revocation may not thereafter again file an application for an exemption under such section 1402(e)(1). If the application is filed after the due date of the applicant’s Federal income tax return for a taxable year and is effective with respect to that taxable year, it shall include or be accompanied by payment in full of an amount equal to the total of the taxes that would have been imposed by section 1401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to all of the applicant’s income derived in that taxable year which would have constituted net earnings from self-employment for purposes of chapter 2 of such Code (notwithstanding paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1402(c)) except for the exemption under section 1402(e)(1) of such Code.(b)Effective dateSubsection (a) shall apply with respect to service performed (to the extent specified in such subsection) in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2028, and with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act on the basis of the wages and self-employment income of any individual for months in or after the calendar year in which such individual’s application for revocation (as described in such subsection) is effective (and lump-sum death payments payable under such title on the basis of such wages and self-employment income in the case of deaths occurring in or after such calendar year).3.Report to congressNot later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, shall develop and submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a plan to inform duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church, members of a religious order, and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke any prior election of exemption from Social Security participation.January 7, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (17)

DateChamberAll Actions
01/07/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
01/07/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
01/07/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
12/10/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
12/10/2025House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
01/07/2026Library of CongressReported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
01/07/2026House floor actionsReported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-425.
01/07/2026House floor actionsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 370.
04/27/2026House floor actionsMr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
04/27/2026House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3115-3116)
04/27/2026House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 227.
04/27/2026House floor actionsAt 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.
04/27/2026House floor actionsConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3118-3119)
04/27/2026Library of CongressPassed/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)
04/27/2026House floor actionsOn 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)
04/27/2026House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
04/28/2026SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Titles (7)

Title TypeTitle
Display TitleClergy Act
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textClergy Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseClergy Act
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes.
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseClergy Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedClergy Act
Official Title as IntroducedTo allow a period in which members of the clergy may revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (21)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (4)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Finance Committee04/28/2026 Referred To
House - Ways and Means Committee01/07/2026 Reported By
House - Ways and Means Committee12/10/2025 Markup By
House - Ways and Means Committee01/07/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for H.R. 227.

Subjects (5)

Policy Area: Social Welfare

All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.