U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are among 20 original cosponsors of a bipartisan bill designed to quash federal government shutdowns.
“Congress shouldn’t be able to hold federal workers and the federal government hostage by forcing government shutdowns to score political points,” Sen. Blackburn said on May 28. “This legislation would end government-wide shutdowns to protect American taxpayers and prevent disruptions to critical services.”
Sens. Blackburn and Capito on May 21 joined bill sponsor U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) to propose the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026, S. 4632, which is also cosponsored by lawmakers including U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
“Government shutdowns are costly, disruptive, and entirely preventable,” said Sen. Capito. “The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 will help keep our government open and ensure Congress is doing the job that the American people sent them to Washington to do.”
If enacted, S. 4632 would require that if appropriations work is not completed 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, according to a bill summary provided by the senators.
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.
In turn, this would prevent a shutdown and continue critical services and operations by restricting taxpayer-funded allowances for official business for: the White House Office of Management and Budget staff and leadership; members of both houses of Congress; and committee and personal staff of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Additionally, there would be no official funds used for CODEL or STAFFDEL travel; no use of campaign funds by congressional offices to supplement official duties or travel expenses; and no motions to recess or adjourn in the House or Senate for a period of more than 23 hours, the summary says.
The bill has garnered support from the American Federation of Government Employees, the National Treasury Employees Union, Americans for Prosperity, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Air Line Pilots Association, among many others.
Companion legislation has been introduced by U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).