Lankford, Hassan Team Up to End Government Shutdowns and Hold Congress Accountable

WASHINGTON, DC — US Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 , which would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until their work is done. “Americans are tired of worthless government shutdown drama and Congress using federal workers and government services as pawns in political standoffs,” said Lankford. “The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act ends government shutdowns forever with a simple idea: if Congress doesn’t do its job, Congress doesn’t get to go home. We shift the pressure off the American people and onto the people they elected. We came within three votes of passing this before, and it is time to finish the job.” “Government shutdowns are costly, avoidable, and make people in New Hampshire and across the country pay the price for the failures of Congress,” said Hassan . “This commonsense, bipartisan bill incentivizes Congress to fund the government on time and ensures that there is a plan in place to protect families and our economy if Congress cannot come to an agreement.” Joining Lankford and Hassan in introducing the bipartisan legislation are Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Kennedy (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) and Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19). The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Americans for Prosperity (AFP), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), Partnership for Public Service (PPS), Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) are supporting the legislation. Background Introduced initially in February 2019 , the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act requires that if appropriations work is not done on time, all Members of Congress must stay in Washington, DC, and work until the spending bills are completed. This will prevent a government-wide shutdown, continue critical services and operations for Americans, and hold federal workers harmless while Congress completes appropriations. Upon a lapse in government funding, the bill would implement an automatic continuing resolution (CR) on rolling 14-day periods, based on the most current spending levels enacted in the previous fiscal year. This would prevent a shutdown and continue critical services and operations. During the covered period of an automatic CR, the following restrictions are put in place: No taxpayer-funded travel allowances for official business (except one flight to return to Washington, DC) for the following: White House OMB staff and leadership Members of the House and Senate Committee and personal staff of the House and Senate No official funds may be used for CODEL or STAFFDEL travel No use of campaign funds by congressional offices to supplement official duties or travel expenses No motions to recess or adjourn in the House/Senate for a period of more than 23 hours In addition, under the bill, no other votes would be in order in the House and Senate unless they pertain to passage of the appropriations bills or mandatory quorum calls in the Senate. However, after 30 days under the automatic CR, certain expiring authorization bills and executive calendar nominations would be eligible for consideration on the Senate floor, including a nomination for a Justice of the Supreme Court or a Cabinet Secretary, and narrow reauthorization legislation for programs operating under an authorization that has already expired or will expire within the next 30 days. These restrictions can be waived by a two-thirds vote in either chamber, but not for longer than seven days. You can view the full text of the bill HERE , and learn more about it in Fox News HERE . ###