Should Funding be Automatically Extended to Prevent Gov't Shutdowns & Cut if Congress Doesn't Act? (H.R. 2162)

What is H.R. 2162?

(Updated December 27, 2018)

This bill — the End Government Shutdowns Act — would prevent government shutdowns by creating an automatic continuing resolution (CR) for any of the twelve regular appropriations bills before a new fiscal year starts on October 1 to maintain current funding levels when funding would otherwise lapse. If Congress hasn’t completed the annual appropriations process after 120 days (January 29), funding would be reduced by one percent, and every 90 days thereafter another one percent reduction would occur until the appropriations process is done.

Argument in favor

This would prevent government shutdowns from threatening the American economy by giving Congress three months after its normal deadline to enact appropriations bills before funding starts getting reduced by 1% periodically until lawmakers act.

Argument opposed

Preventing government shutdowns automatically is great, but automatic spending reductions that kick in if Congress doesn’t act within three months would hurt the operations of the agencies that lose funding because of lawmakers’ inaction.

Impact

Federal agencies; and Congress.

Cost of H.R. 2162

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced this bill to allow congressional leaders to negotiate spending deals without the threat of a government shutdown by automatically renewing funding when it would otherwise lapse:

“Every time there is a threat of a government shutdown by either party, our country is losing. Each threat of a government shutdown puts our troops and national security at risk, negatively impacts our markets, and jeopardizes our position as a world leader. I’m confident that both parties will come together once again to avert a government shutdown but crisis appropriating is not the way to govern. This bill removes that threat. I want Congress to get back to our regular appropriations process and stop massive, year-end spending deals where the choice is vote for this bill or shut down the government. Instead of relying on these deals negotiated by just a few members of Congress, we should be passing each appropriation bill to give every member a say as we go line-by-line through our budget to reduce and reprioritize spending.”

This legislation has the support of one cosponsor in the House, Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA).

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) Press Release
  
• Congressional Institute