Portman introduces End Government Shutdowns Act as amendment to spending bill

On Monday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) offered his legislation aimed at preventing last-minute budget deals that fail to address out-of-control spending, as well as aimed at ending the threat to cut off essential federal government services, as an amendment to the continuing resolution (CR).

The End Government Shutdowns Act creates an automatic CR for any regular appropriations bill, lessening the chance of last-minute, budget-busting bills being forced through against the threat of a government shutdown. 
 
“I am extremely disappointed that instead of adopting my commonsense solution to guarantee that no budget battle ever again results in a government shutdown, my colleagues blocked passage of my amendment to stop this irresponsible brinkmanship once and for all,” Portman said. “It’s critical that Washington starts functioning again, and part of the solution is ensuring that Americans don’t have the threat of a government shutdown hanging over their heads.

“My legislation ensures the federal government continues to provide the necessary services to its citizens while protecting against the panic and pressure of last-minute budget deals, allowing Congress to make the decisions necessary to get Washington’s fiscal house back in order.”
 
Portman spoke about the End Government Shutdowns Act on the Senate floor Monday.

[[In-content Ad]]Since 1997, Congress has failed to pass its regular appropriations bills by the Oct. 1 deadline, which has caused rushed budget agreements, the threat of government shutdowns, and unpredictability for government agencies and the people who rely on them. All too often, Congress barely reaches a midnight-hour agreement to avoid full government shutdown.
 
The End Government Shutdowns Act creates an automatic CR for any regular appropriations bill not completed by Oct. 1. After the first 120 days, CR funding would be reduced by 1 percentage point, and would continue to be reduced by that margin every 90 days. Similar to legislation in the House, this bill gives Congress until January before the first automatic cuts would occur, rather than implementing them on Oct. 1.
 
The End Government Shutdowns Act addresses a number of critical issues:
· No more government shutdowns to create chaos for citizens who depend on federal services.
· Less unpredictability for government agencies, which will be able to plan their budgets based on a default appropriations level.
· Reduced pressure for haphazard, last-minute budget deals that lawmakers are asked to vote on before they have even read them.
· Lawmakers will have until January to complete the appropriations bills before funding levels change.
· After 120 days, the gradual decline in funding levels will ensure that lawmakers and the White House continue working toward an agreement.
· All discretionary spending is treated equally. There are no exceptions for liberal or conservative spending priorities. This will keep both sides eager to reach a final agreement in order to preserve their respective priorities.
 
Portman introduced the End Government Shutdowns Act earlier this year and was joined by 10 cosponsors.