Eliminate Shutdowns Act

The Eliminate Shutdowns Act would establish an automatic funding mechanism to prevent government shutdowns. If Congress fails to pass regular appropriations bills before a new fiscal year begins, this legislation would automatically continue funding federal programs and activities at the spending levels from the previous fiscal year. This would allow government operations to continue uninterrupted while Congress works on finalizing the actual budget.

Under this proposal, federal agencies would maintain their prior-year funding levels for all programs that were previously funded, preventing the disruptions and service interruptions that occur during government shutdowns. Citizens would experience more continuity in federal services, though the funding would remain at existing levels rather than reflecting any new budget priorities Congress might have intended. The bill aims to eliminate the recurring cycle of shutdown threats that have periodically halted federal operations and affected government employees and public services.

Note that this bill was introduced in September 2025 but failed to advance past a procedural vote in the Senate. Most introduced bills do not become law, and this measure would require passage in both chambers and presidential signature to take effect.