This bill is designed to keep the government running if Congress hasn't passed a budget by the time a new fiscal year starts. Instead of shutting down and stopping all government services, this law automatically provides temporary funding to keep things going.

Here's how it works: For the first 90 days, federal agencies get money equal to 94% of what they received the previous year. This keeps most programs running but with a small 6% reduction. If Congress still hasn't passed a real budget after those 90 days, the funding drops by another 1% for the next 90-day period. This pattern continues—losing an additional 1% every 90 days—until lawmakers finally pass an actual budget.

Basically, this prevents the disruption and chaos of a government shutdown where federal employees stop working and services halt. Instead, it gives Congress time to negotiate a budget while keeping the government functioning, though with gradually tightening budgets if they take too long to reach a deal. It affects everyone who relies on government services, from Social Security to national parks to federal employees' paychecks.

Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025

Mace, Nancy

Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if an appropriations bill for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins and continuing appropriations are not in effect.For an initial 90-day period, the bill provides continuing appropriations at 94% of the rate for the preceding year to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year. The bill reduces the continuing appropriations by 1% after the first 90-day period and by an additional 1% for each subsequent 90-day period until the applicable appropriations legislation is enacted.