HOUSERoll Call 139 · Apr 27, 2026, 11:09 PMpassage-suspension

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 227 Clergy Act

H.R. 227
350YEA—5NAY
Passed
H.R. 227Required: 2/3Source →
LINKED BILL
H.R. 227 — Clergy Act
Social WelfareENACTED
View bill →
CRS SUMMARY PREVIEW

This act establishes a two-year window for members of the clergy who have opted out of Social Security and Medicare taxes (and are thus ineligible for benefits under those programs) to opt back in. Under current law, certain ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Individuals who are approved for the exemption do not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The exemption is irrevocable. Under the act, clergy members may choose to revoke their exemption by filing an application with the IRS by the due date of their federal income tax return for the second taxable year after December 31, 2028 (i.e., April 15, 2031, unless an individual obtains an extension to file their taxes). A clergy member may choose for the revocation to take effect in taxable year 2029 or taxable year 2030. A revocation under the act is permanent. Clergy members who opt back in will generally need 10 years of covered employment (40 credits) to be eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits, as is currently required for these programs. The IRS must develop a plan to inform clergy members of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the act's changes.

VOTE VISUALIZATION

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D — YEA
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R — YEA
R — NAY
NOT VOTING

PARTY BREAKDOWN

Democratic99% unity
Yea: 183Nay: 1NV: 28
Republican98% unity
Yea: 166Nay: 4NV: 46
Independent100% unity
Yea: 1Nay: 0

ALL VOTES (429)

Group by
AK(1)
CA(50)
Not VotingDRobert Garcia
Not VotingDJimmy Gomez
Not VotingDAdam Gray
Not VotingDSam T. Liccardo
Not VotingDNancy Pelosi
Not VotingDScott H. Peters
Not VotingDMaxine Waters
DE(1)
Not VotingDSarah McBride
ID(2)
Not VotingRRuss Fulcher
MT(2)
Not VotingRRyan K. Zinke
SD(1)
Not VotingRDusty Johnson
VT(1)