Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 6 Republican cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 establishes automatic continuing appropriations to prevent government shutdowns during a lapse in appropriations. If a lapse occurs, funding is automatically provided for 14-day increments based on previous funding levels. The bill also imposes strict travel restrictions on covered officers and employees during these periods. Furthermore, it limits legislative actions in the House and Senate to specific essential matters. These measures are designed to create consequences and procedures in the event of a failure to enact appropriations.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +1
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill maintains funding for entitlements and the Food and Nutrition Act during government shutdowns.
- Scored +1
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires agency heads to promptly notify the Committee on Appropriations of any fund transfers.
- Scored +1
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The bill maintains funding levels for the Food and Nutrition Act during appropriations lapses.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
The bill restricts high initial rates of operation for funding distributed to foreign countries.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill limits high initial rates of operation and prevents certain high-value grant distributions during funding lapses.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Ensures Program Continuity: By providing automatic funding for programs, projects, and activities, the bill aims to keep government functions running during a lapse in appropriations (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Maintains Entitlement Levels: For entitlements, mandatory payments, and activities under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, funding is set at a rate necessary to maintain current program levels (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Provides Clear Rules for Funding Extensions: The bill establishes a predictable 14-day cycle for extending appropriations and funds, which provides a structured timeline for continuing operations (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Financial Distributions: For certain programs with high initial rates of operation or those that distribute funds to States, foreign countries, or grantees, the bill prevents high initial distributions or certain grant awards (Section 2(f)).
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Travel Limitations for Officials: Covered officers and employees are prohibited from spending funds on official travel during a covered period, except for specific return trips to the seat of government or national security events (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Restrictions on Campaign Fund Usage: The bill limits the use of campaign contributions for an individual's official travel during a covered period (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Limitations on Legislative Activity: During a covered period, the House and Senate are restricted from moving to proceed on most matters except for specific appropriations, debt limit, or emergency measures (Section 3(c)(1)).
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Strict Rules on Recess and Adjournment: The bill prohibits the House and Senate from moving to recess or adjourn for more than 23 hours during a covered period (Section 3(c)(1)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill restricts high initial rates of operation for funding distributed to foreign countries.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill maintains funding for entitlements and the Food and Nutrition Act during government shutdowns.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires agency heads to promptly notify the Committee on Appropriations of any fund transfers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill maintains funding levels for the Food and Nutrition Act during appropriations lapses.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill ensures continuity of government programs which maintains current employment levels. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill limits high initial rates of operation and prevents certain high-value grant distributions during funding lapses.
- 1/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Robert BresnahanRepublican · Pennsylvania
Charles FleischmannRepublican · Tennessee
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Nicholas LangworthyRepublican · New York
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas