Senators propose keeping Congress in session until new federal budget is approved.
A Bipartisan Effort to Prevent Government Shutdowns
A bipartisan group of senators led by James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Angus King (I-Maine) believes that members of Congress should be fully committed to completing the 2024 federal budget without any breaks. Their proposal, known as the “Prevent Government Shutdowns Act” (PGSA) of 2023, has gained attention due to the current struggle in Congress to reach a consensus on a spending plan that satisfies both Democrats and Republicans.
The PGSA requires members of Congress and their staffs to remain in Washington, D.C. until the budget is agreed upon by the Senate and House of Representatives and sent to President Joe Biden for his signature.
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The proposal has garnered support from senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.).
The proposal outlines a series of 14-day periods following the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, during which the government would run out of appropriated funds. During these periods, members of Congress and their staff would be required to focus solely on finalizing the budget and would not be allowed to work on any other legislation.
Additionally, the proposal restricts the use of official funds for travel, except for one trip back to Washington, D.C., from a member’s state or district if necessary. Congress would also be limited to recess for no more than 23 hours at a time, and campaign funds could not be used to supplement a member’s official duties or travel.
If passed, the Lankford–King proposal would hold Congress accountable to complete their job of finalizing the budget before taking any breaks. However, the proposal does not address the issue of withholding congressional paychecks.
During a recent media appearance, Mr. Lankford emphasized that no member of Congress wants a government shutdown. He expressed the need for a solution to the country’s debt and deficit issues, highlighting the importance of addressing these concerns without resorting to a shutdown.
Mr. King, an Independent who caucuses with the Senate’s Democrats, echoed these sentiments, stating that previous budget showdowns have resulted in temporary relief rather than long-term solutions. He emphasized the need to break this cycle and prevent future shutdowns.
Although the proposal was initially introduced in 2019, it has yet to be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote. However, with the current urgency surrounding the budget negotiations, there is renewed hope that the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act will gain the attention it deserves.
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