Eliminate Shutdowns Act

# Eliminate Shutdowns Act - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Eliminate Shutdowns Act would automatically continue government funding if Congress fails to pass new budget bills by the start of a fiscal year. Instead of allowing a shutdown, the bill would keep federal agencies and programs running at the funding levels from the previous year. This would apply to all programs, projects, and activities that received money in the prior fiscal year. **Who It Affects and Why It Matters** This bill would affect federal employees, federal contractors, and Americans who rely on government services. Currently, when Congress cannot agree on a budget before the fiscal year begins, the government can "shut down," forcing many agencies to stop operations and furloughing workers without pay.

This bill aims to prevent that disruption by providing a safety net of automatic, temporary funding. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) but has not yet been passed. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process. The bill addresses a recurring budget problem—government shutdowns have occurred multiple times in recent years—though it represents just one of several proposed approaches to solving this issue.