Rep. Panetta Co-Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Prevent Future Government Shutdowns

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta, a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, and House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025.  This bipartisan bill would prevent future government shutdowns and force Congress to stay in Washington, D.C. until they reach an agreement on a budget. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK).

“As I’ve seen throughout my limited time in Congress, and as our nation has seen this past month, federal government shutdowns hurt working families,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would prevent either party from walking away from the negotiating table and ensure that Congress works together to fund our government. It’s a commonsensical and straightforward piece of bipartisan legislation that, unfortunately, is needed at times like this to ensure that Congress does its job.”

Rep. Panetta's bill comes as the federal government is in the 5th week of a shutdown after Congress failed to come to an agreement on FY2026 appropriations bills. The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would require all Members of Congress to stay in Washington, D.C., until work on the spending bills is completed. The legislation would remove the threat of future government-wide shutdowns, guarantee continued critical federal services for Americans, and prevent federal employees from being furloughed or being required to work without pay.

Background on the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act:

Upon a lapse in government funding, the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would implement an automatic continuing resolution (CR), on rolling 14-day periods, based on the most current spending levels enacted in the previous fiscal year.  This would prevent a shutdown and continue critical services and operations.

During the covered period of an automatic CR, the following restrictions are put in place:

• No taxpayer-funded travel allowances for official business (except one flight to return to Washington, DC) for the following:
  • White House OMB staff and leadership
  • Members of the House and Senate
  • Committee and personal staff of the House and Senate
• No official funds may be used for CODEL or STAFFDEL travel
• No use of campaign funds by congressional offices to supplement official duties or travel expenses
• No motions to recess or adjourn in the House/Senate for a period or more than 23 hours

In addition, under the bill, no other votes would be in order in the House and Senate unless they pertain to passage of the appropriations bills, lifting the debt limit, or mandatory quorum calls in the Senate.  However, after 30 days under the automatic CR, certain expiring authorization bills and executive calendar nominations would be eligible for consideration on the Senate floor, including a nomination for a Justice of the Supreme Court or a Cabinet Secretary, and narrow reauthorization legislation for programs operating under an authorization that has already expired or will expire within the next 30 days.

These restrictions can be waived by a two-thirds vote in either chamber but not for longer than seven days.  Additionally, the bill provides for expedited consideration of bipartisan funding bills if appropriations have not been enacted after 30 days after the start of the fiscal year.  This further incentivizes Congress to process bipartisan spending bills and fund the government on time.

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