Rep. Panetta Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Stop Government Shutdowns, Ensure Congress Does Its Job

Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), 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.  This bipartisan bill would prevent government shutdowns and force Congress to stay in town until they reach an agreement on a budget.  Companion legislation in the Senate was introduced by Sens. James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act requires that if appropriations work is not done on time, all Members of Congress must stay in Washington, DC, and work until the spending bills are completed. This bill would prevent a government-wide shutdown, continue critical services and operations for Americans, and hold federal workers harmless while Congress completes appropriations. 

“The very last thing that we should be doing in Congress is allowing the federal government to shut down because of our inability to work together in a timely fashion and agree on a budget.  Shutdowns of the federal government prevent millions of people from getting paid, disrupt government services, waste taxpayer dollars, and affect the lives of hardworking Americans,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would prevent shutdowns from occurring, protect people’s paychecks, and ensure that Congress stays and works together to fund our government.  It’s a straightforward piece of bipartisan legislation that, unfortunately, is needed at times like this to ensure that Congress does its job.”

“Government shutdowns are unnecessary and preventable.  Failing to accomplish the most basic task of governing harms our economic growth, interrupts government services, and furloughs many government employees caught in the middle. Implementing an automatic continuing resolution -- while ensuring legislators continue working until the job of funding the government is complete -- is a wise strategy,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.  “I commend Representatives Arrington (R-TX) and Panetta (D-CA) for introducing the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act.  This bill is an excellent initial step towards reforming our nation's flawed budget process, allowing our lawmakers to focus on long-term solutions rather than forcing short-term emergencies.”

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 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.

###