GOP Representatives introduce Government Shutdown Prevention Act
By Ally Riding
On Jan. 16, Utah Republican Congressman John Curtis released the statement below after he introduced The Government Shutdown Prevention Act with Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Lloyd Smucker. The legislation aims to end political gameplaying and fix the dysfunctional budget process in Congress. Since 2013, the federal government has shut down on four separate occasions. Since Dec. 22, 2018, the federal government has been shut down due to an impasse over spending. As of Jan. 16, it is the longest federal shutdown in history.
“Since coming to Congress, I have consistently advocated for a better budgeting process,” said Curtis. “Members of Congress should be accountable to fund the federal government responsibly and on time. Today, I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this common-sense bill, which mirror’s Utah’s process, to permanently end government shutdowns for good.”
If passed, the legislation would automatically continue government funding through a continuing resolution. The bill would implement a five percent spending penalty on the day the continuing resolution begins. Federal spending would be reduced by two percent 60 days after the first day of the fiscal year and by an additional two percent each subsequent 60-day period.
The Government Shutdown Prevention Act is also sponsored by Illinois Republican Reps. Rodney Davis and Adam Kinzinger, Ohio Republican Bob Gibbs, New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, and Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton.
Earlier this month, Congressman Curtis introduced H.R. 26, the No Work, No Pay Act of 2019. The legislation would prohibit Senators and Representatives from being paid during periods when any federal agency is shut down due to a lapse in funding appropriated by Congress. Click here for more.
Like he has done during previous government shutdowns, Rep. Curtis asked the Clerk of the House to withhold his pay until the government is fully funded. A copy the letter requesting the pay to be withheld can be found here.
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