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119-s-2721119th CongressWALLET

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Lankford, James [R-OK]

Introduced

Summary

Creates automatic continuing appropriations that would keep federal programs funded at the prior applicable appropriation rate during funding lapses. It would take effect on September 30, 2025.

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  • Families and benefit recipients would keep getting entitlements and mandatory payments, and food assistance under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 would continue at whatever rate is needed to maintain current program levels.
  • Federal agencies and ongoing programs would receive funding at the preceding appropriation rate in 14-calendar-day increments while a lapse persists. Agency heads could move funds between accounts for higher-priority items with Office of Management and Budget approval, limited to 5 percent of any single account.
  • Members of Congress, Office of Management and Budget staff, and congressional employees would face strict travel limits during covered periods, and floor business would be limited to a short list of urgent measures. The House and Senate may not recess more than 23 hours and waivers require a two-thirds vote.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Automatic short-term government funding

If enacted, this bill would automatically fund federal programs whenever appropriations lapse. Funding would begin on the first day of the lapse and be available for an initial 14-calendar-day period, then extend automatically every 14 days while the lapse continues. Entitlement payments and Food and Nutrition Act programs would be kept at levels needed to maintain benefits. Agency heads could transfer up to 5 percent of an account with OMB approval. This would start on September 30, 2025.

How automatic funding counts for budgets

If enacted, the bill would require the automatic continuing appropriation to be estimated and scored as discretionary, but treated in baselines as a part‑year continuing appropriation. The funding would count as in effect for less than the full year for baseline and enforcement. If certain reports are due during a lapse, the due date would be 30 days after the lapse or the later statutory date. This would start on September 30, 2025.

Ban campaign funds for official travel

If enacted, the bill would bar using campaign contributions to pay for travel tied to duties as a federal officeholder during a covered period. The only exception would allow a return trip to the seat of Government if the officeholder is away when the lapse begins. This would start on September 30, 2025.

Limits on travel for covered officials

If enacted, the bill would bar obligating or spending money for official travel by covered officers and employees during a covered period, with narrow exceptions. Exceptions include one return trip to the seat of Government if away when the lapse starts, travel inside the National Capital Region, and travel tied to national security continuity. Covered people include OMB officers, Members of Congress, and personal office or committee staff. This would start on September 30, 2025.

Limits on House and Senate proceedings

If enacted, during a covered period either House could only move to certain items like appropriations, reconciliation, debt-limit bills, and emergency measures. The bill would ban recesses longer than 23 hours and require a daily noon quorum check. Any waiver would need a two-thirds vote and could last no more than seven days. This would start on September 30, 2025.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lankford, James [R-OK]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 9/4/2025

  • Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 9/10/2025

  • Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

  • Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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