Prevent Government Shutdowns Act

The "Prevent Government Shutdowns Act" aims to avert federal government shutdowns by implementing an automatic continuing appropriations mechanism. This mechanism ensures that if regular annual appropriation acts are not enacted by the start of a fiscal year, funding for programs, projects, and activities will automatically continue for 14-day periods . These appropriations are provided at the rate of operations from the preceding applicable appropriation acts, ensuring essential government functions can proceed without interruption. During these periods of automatic continuing appropriations, the bill imposes specific restrictions designed to incentivize Congress to pass full-year appropriations. It limits official travel for Members of Congress, their staff, and Office of Management and Budget employees, with exceptions for returning to Washington D.C., local travel, or national security events. Furthermore, the use of campaign funds for official travel is also restricted during these times. To maintain focus on appropriations, the bill significantly alters legislative procedures in both the Senate and House of Representatives during a funding lapse. Lawmakers would be restricted to considering only appropriations measures, motions related to quorums, or bills addressing the public debt limit. After 30 days, nominations for high-level executive positions or Supreme Court justices, and extensions for expiring program authorizations, could also be considered. Additionally, recesses longer than 23 hours would be prohibited, and daily quorum calls would be mandated, with any waiver of these rules requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote .