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

Blackburn, Lankford, and Hassan Team Up to End Government Shutdowns and Hold Congress Accountable May 28, 2026 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in introducing the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act , which would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until their work is done: “Congress shouldn’t be able to hold federal workers and the federal government hostage by forcing government shutdowns to score political points,” said Senator Blackburn. “This legislation would end government-wide shutdowns to protect American taxpayers and prevent disruptions to critical services.” “Americans are tired of worthless government shutdown drama and Congress using federal workers and government services as pawns in political standoffs,” said Senator 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 Senator 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.” Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Joni Ernst ( R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-La.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen ( D-Nev.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) also co-sponsored this legislation. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) and Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). PREVENT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS ACT The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would require that if appropriations work is not done on time, all Members of Congress must stay in Washington, D.C., and work until the spending bills are completed. This would 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 by restricting taxpayer-funded allowances for official business for the following: White House Office of Management and Budget 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 or Senate for a period of more than 23 hours Click here for bill text. ENDORSEMENTS 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) support the legislation. https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/5/jobs and economy/blackburn-lankford-and-hassan-team-up-to-end-government-shutdowns-and-hold-congress-accountable