Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create an automatic continuing appropriations system to keep federal programs funded during funding gaps and set rules for agency action and congressional procedure during lapses.
Show full summary
- Families and program participants: Entitlements and mandatory payments, including programs under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, would continue at the rate needed to maintain current benefit levels during a lapse.
- Federal agencies and programs: Funding would continue at prior applicable rates in 14-day increments starting the first day of a lapse. Agency heads, with Office of Management and Budget approval, could transfer up to 5 percent between accounts, but large initial spending and rapid grant payouts would be limited to avoid exhausting funds.
- Members of Congress and officials: The bill would limit official travel during covered periods and bar campaign funds for official travel except to return officials to the seat of Government. Floor procedures would be narrowed to key measures with a 7-day waiver window and a two-thirds vote required to suspend rules.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Automatic funding to avoid shutdowns
If enacted, the government would keep programs running when funding lapses. It would automatically fund them at the prior year’s rate, starting on day one. The money would last 14 days at first and could extend in 14‑day blocks until a new bill passes. Entitlement and Food and Nutrition Act programs would get enough to maintain current benefit levels. A lapse would mean no full‑year bill this year, no temporary bill in effect, and the program had funding last year. These rules would start September 30, 2025.
Limits on Congress during funding standoffs
If enacted, during a covered period, the House and Senate could take up only certain items, like annual funding bills, debt‑limit bills, and emergencies. After 30 days, some top nominations and short extensions could be allowed under set rules. Neither chamber could recess for more than 23 hours, and there would be a daily noon quorum call. Waivers could last no more than seven days and would need a two‑thirds vote. Most official travel by covered officers and employees would be barred, with narrow exceptions: one return trip to the seat of Government if away when the period starts, travel within the National Capital Region, and travel for national security or continuity. Campaign funds could not pay for official travel during the period, except for one return trip. Covered people would include OMB staff, Members of Congress, and congressional employees, with special timing rules for when a covered period applies to Congress.
How budget offices count this funding
If enacted, budget offices would count the automatic funds as part‑year continuing appropriations for baselines and spending limits. During a lapse, any required report would be due the later of the normal date or 30 days after the lapse begins. These scorekeeping rules would start September 30, 2025.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 9/23/2025
Bresnahan
PA • R
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Schmidt
KS • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Langworthy
NY • R
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
TN • R
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in