Bill · H.R. 5542· House(119-HR-5542)
End Government Shutdowns Act
- Introduced
- 9/23/2025
- Last activity
- 9/23/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Barr
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "End Government Shutdowns Act" seeks to amend title 31 of the United States Code to establish automatic continuous appropriations. If a regular appropriation measure or a joint resolution is not enacted before a new fiscal year begins, this bill provides funds to continue existing programs, projects, or activities. These funds are based on levels from the preceding fiscal year or a previous joint resolution. The bill implements a system where funding rates decrease over time if a resolution is not passed. This process ensures that government operations can continue even when regular appropriations are not in place.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+2
The bill prevents service disruptions that could affect seniors reliant on continuous government programs.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
Continuous appropriations prevent gaps in the administration of essential social safety net programs.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+2
The bill maintains the continuity of programs and services critical to the veteran community.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill's tiered reduction in funding levels could lead to lower overall government spending over time if no new appropriations are passed.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Continuous Program Operation: By providing automatic appropriations if no measure is enacted before a fiscal year begins, the bill ensures programs, projects, or activities can continue (Sec. 2(a)(1)).
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Extended Funding Continuity: If these provisions are in effect at the end of a fiscal year, funding levels will continue into the next fiscal year (Sec. 2(a)(2)(B)).
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Defined Funding Duration: Appropriations and funds made available are intended to last from the start of a lapse in appropriations until a regular appropriation bill or a continuing resolution becomes law (Sec. 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Decreasing Funding Rates: Under this bill, the rate of operations is initially capped at 99 percent of previous levels, and then reduces by 1 percentage point for every subsequent 30-day period that the section is in effect (Sec. 2(a)(2)(A)).
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Reduced Operating Capacity: The tiered reduction of funding levels means that as time passes without a regular appropriation, the available funds for programs, projects, or activities will continue to decline (Sec. 2(a)(2)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Veterans+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+2
- 9/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
- Introduced in House