Bipartisan Effort to End Government Shutdowns
For a decade, Americans have endured the fallout from government shutdowns in Washington. These shutdowns impact the economy, compromise security, and disrupt lives nationwide. Each shutdown places significant burdens on citizens. The last one led to losses exceeding $11 billion.
Past shutdowns created long security lines at airports, as TSA officers were unfunded. Air traffic controllers worked without pay. Veterans and seniors faced delays in accessing their benefits. The Small Business Administration struggled to support entrepreneurs. Moreover, families risked losing their SNAP benefits.
Shutdowns threaten the pay of service members safeguarding the nation. They display to the world how political wrangling can hold the United States hostage, affecting the world’s most substantial democracy and economy.
“Shutdowns should not be a tool for political gain.”
Both political parties have contributed to shutdowns. Therefore, both must collaborate to prevent them. A Republican and a Democrat in the Senate devised a plan: regardless of budget disagreements, citizens shouldn’t shoulder the consequences of Congress’s inaction.
The “Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026” proposes that failure to pass any of the 12 appropriation bills on time would trigger an automatic Continuing Resolution (CR). This ensures federal workers and programs continue operating at existing spending levels. Meanwhile, Congress members must stay in Washington and vote daily until resolving budget issues. This measure restricts the House and Senate to debating appropriation bills only, akin to staying after school to complete unfinished work.
“Congress would face the shutdown’s impacts, sparing citizens the suffering.”
The proposal aims to keep essential workers, such as air traffic controllers and healthcare professionals, in service, without using them as bargaining chips in political disputes. The Act already gained bipartisan backing, although it narrowly missed passing by three votes.
Recent prolonged shutdowns emphasized the need for change. Growing Senate and House factions support the Act, alongside numerous organizations and the American Federation of Government Employees. Reforming the status quo is challenging but essential as the current approach is ineffective.
Americans may hold differing opinions on various topics, but ending shutdowns is an issue where unity prevails.
Senator Maggie Hassan represents New Hampshire and previously served as the state’s governor. Senator James Lankford represents Oklahoma.