Senator Lankford Proposes Bill to Avoid Government Shutdowns

In an effort to prevent future government shutdowns, Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) is advocating for new legislation aimed at ensuring federal employees aren’t left without pay. This move follows a recent failed vote to fund federal workers during a government shutdown. Lankford’s proposal comes alongside a rule change by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), which no longer allows senators to receive pay during shutdowns, a change intended to make them more accountable.

Lankford, alongside Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), hopes to solidify this preventative measure. Having pushed for similar anti-shutdown legislation for some time, Lankford aims to quickly reintroduce the bill for a floor vote.

“The Government Shutdown Prevention Act would permanently prevent shutdowns by stating that Congress cannot go home until it has fulfilled its duties,” Lankford explained. He believes this will shift the pressure from the public to Congress, advocating that previous attempts fell just a few votes short of success.

If this proposed legislation were to be enacted and another shutdown occurred, it would automatically extend funding for short periods—14 days at a time—to re-open the government. Additionally, it would impose strict restrictions on legislators, including barring them from using taxpayer money for travel outside Washington, D.C., and prohibiting foreign delegations. Such measures were significant points of contention during past lengthy shutdowns.

However, some critics worry that the bill could complicate Congress’s ability to function effectively. One Democratic Congressional aide cautioned, “While the intent might be good, it could actually hinder Congress in passing necessary funding legislation.” They mentioned that if this bill leads to a default on budgets, it could limit Congress’s ability to oversee presidential actions using taxpayer funds.

Despite the concerns, there is optimism about this new bill following the strong support for Kennedy’s recent rule change.

Hassan noted that the legislation encourages timely government funding and aims to protect citizens and the economy, acknowledging the financial burdens that shutdowns place on families across the nation.

Previous attempts to advance similar legislation had faltered, with Senate Democrats largely opposing it while most Republicans supported it, except for a few dissidents.

As discussions continue regarding the impacts of the last government shutdown—leaving numerous federal employees unpaid—Republicans are now working on a budget proposal to stabilize immigration programs, hoping to have it ready by the week’s end.