Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
Introduced
Summary
Automatic continuing appropriations would keep previously funded federal programs running during any lapse in appropriations. The bill also imposes temporary travel limits on officials and adds procedural and budget-scoring rules for how those automatic funds operate.
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- Families and program recipients: Keeps funding flowing for programs that were funded in the prior applicable appropriation, including nutrition programs covered by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Funds are provided at a temporary rate and later charged to the final annual appropriation once enacted.
- Federal employees and officials: Restricts official travel by covered officers and employees during a lapse except for short return trips to the seat of government, travel within the National Capital Region, and travel tied to national security or continuity operations. It also limits the use of campaign funds for official travel during the covered period.
- Congress and the budget process: Creates automatic 14-day continuing appropriations with automatic 14-day extensions while a lapse continues. Treats those automatic appropriations as discretionary for budget scoring, prohibits large initial funding bursts or rapid grant awards, and requires expenditures to be charged to the applicable appropriation when the annual bill is enacted.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
SNAP and entitlements keep paying
If enacted, you would keep getting entitlement payments and SNAP during a funding lapse, if you qualify. Payments would run at current‑law levels and follow last year’s program rules. This would help keep checks and grocery benefits on schedule.
Automatic funding to avoid shutdowns
If enacted, the government would provide automatic funding when a lapse starts. Money would flow at last year’s rate and terms, including loan and loan guarantee costs. Funding would come in 14‑day blocks and renew every 14 days until Congress finishes. It would apply only to programs funded last year and not already funded or barred by other law. Agencies could not make big up‑front distributions or grants that lock in final choices. Agencies could use the funds without apportionment timing delays, and would later charge the spending to the final account after a bill passes.
Congress limited to funding bills
If enacted, during a covered period, Congress could mostly take up only this year’s appropriations, quorum motions, and debt‑limit bills. On and after day 30, it could also consider certain top nominations and short program extensions where funding is not enacted. Recesses or adjournments would be limited to 23 hours, and there would be a daily noon quorum check. Waivers would need a two‑thirds vote and could last no more than 7 days.
Budget rules for automatic funding
If enacted, budget offices would score the automatic funding like a short discretionary appropriation. In the baseline, the funding would count as part‑year, and enforcing spending limits would treat it as part‑year. Any required report during a lapse would be due the later of the usual date or 30 days after the lapse begins.
No official travel during funding gaps
If enacted, most official travel by Members of Congress, their staff, and OMB staff would pause during a covered period. Exceptions would allow one return trip to Washington if away at the start, local travel inside the National Capital Region, and national security or continuity trips. Campaign funds could not pay for official travel, except a return to the seat of Government when the period begins.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Huizenga
MI • R
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]
OH • R
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
NJ • D
Sponsored 11/12/2025
Landsman
OH • D
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]
CO • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/26/2026
Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
TN • R
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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