Bill > HR5542

This bill introduces a mechanism to prevent government shutdowns by automatically continuing funding for federal programs at slightly reduced levels if Congress fails to pass appropriations bills on time. Specifically, if no appropriation measure is enacted before the start of a fiscal year, the bill would automatically provide funding for government programs at 99% of the previous year's funding level. This funding would be automatically reduced by one percentage point every 30 days that a full appropriations bill is not passed, creating a gradual pressure on Congress to complete budget negotiations. The automatic continuing appropriations would maintain the same terms and conditions as the previous year's funding, ensuring that essential government services continue to operate. Critically, the bill would not apply to programs that have specific alternative funding provisions or are explicitly prohibited from continued funding by other laws. The goal of this legislation is to prevent the disruptive and costly government shutdowns that have occurred in recent years by providing a default funding mechanism that keeps most government operations running while incentivizing timely budget resolution.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5542/all-info