# What the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act Actually Does

This bill creates an automatic backup funding system to keep the government running if Congress fails to pass a budget by the start of a new fiscal year. Instead of a complete government shutdown where federal workers stop working and services halt, this law would allow agencies to keep operating at their previous year's funding levels for two-week periods while Congress works on passing a real budget.

Here's how it works in practice: When October 1st arrives and Congress hasn't passed a budget, federal agencies automatically get money to keep running at the same spending level they had the previous year. This funding lasts for 14 days, and if Congress still hasn't passed a budget, it automatically extends for another 14 days, and so on. This means federal employees would keep getting paychecks, Social Security checks would keep going out, national parks would stay open, and essential services wouldn't grind to a halt. The only exception is for programs that Congress specifically says should not continue or that have other funding already in place.

The bill also adds pressure on Congress to actually do their job. Members of Congress and budget officials can't travel outside the Washington, D.C. area during these automatic funding periods (except to return home if they're already away). Congress can't take long recesses—they can only adjourn for 23 hours at a time. They also can't work on other business; the only things they can vote on are appropriations bills, Supreme Court nominations after 30 days, or measures to extend programs that have expired. These restrictions stay in place until Congress passes a real budget, creating strong incentive to stop the gridlock.

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023

Arrington, Jodey C.

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023 This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any of the appropriations bills for a fiscal year have not been enacted before the fiscal year begins and continuing appropriations are not in effect. The bill also limits official travel, congressional recesses or adjournments, and the consideration of legislation that is unrelated to appropriations after the beginning of a fiscal year if the appropriations process has not been completed.