Tuberville Reintroduces Bill to End Government Shutdowns and Keep Congress Working

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 6, 2025

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has joined a bipartisan effort to reintroduce the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, a legislative proposal aimed at eliminating the threat of federal shutdowns by holding Congress accountable for completing its appropriations work on time.

The bill, which has gained renewed attention amid growing public frustration over budget gridlock, would require lawmakers to remain in Washington until all spending bills are passed-effectiv"Where I come from, you stay at work until you get the job done," said Senator Tuberville. "The American people sent us to Washington D.C. to pass a budget, not to go on vacation. I'm proud to join this legislation that would stop incentivizing petty shutdowns by requiring Congress to stay in town until we can do our jobs and pass a responsible budget."ely removing the option to recess or adjourn while critical funding decisions remain unresolved.

How the Bill Works

At its core, the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act introduces a mechanism of accountability for Congress. If appropriations are not completed by the start of the fiscal year, the bill triggers an automatic continuing resolution (CR)-renewed every 14 days-based on the previous year's funding levels. This ensures that federal operations continue uninterrupted while lawmakers finalize the budget.

During this automatic CR period, the bill imposes strict limitations on congressional privileges and procedural actions:

Travel Restrictions

• No taxpayer-funded travel for official business (except one flight back to D.C.)

• Applies to:

• Members of Congress

• White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) staff

• Committee and personal staff of the House and Senate

• No use of campaign funds to supplement official duties or travel

Legislative Constraints

• No motions to recess or adjourn for more than 23 hours

• No votes allowed except those directly related to appropriations or mandatory quorum calls

• After 30 days under the CR, limited exceptions are permitted:

• Supreme Court or Cabinet nominations

• Reauthorization of programs with expired or soon-to-expire authorizations

Any waiver of these restrictions requires a two-thirds vote in either chamber and cannot extend beyond seven days.

Impact on Federal Workers and Services

One of the bill's central goals is to shield federal employees and essential services from the fallout of political stalemates. By maintaining funding through automatic CRs, the legislation ensures that:

• Federal workers are not furloughed

• Agencies continue operating without disruption

• Public services-from Social Security to national defense-remain intact

This approach contrasts sharply with past shutdowns, which have resulted in delayed paychecks, closed national parks, and suspended government programs.

Political and Public Reception

The bill has drawn support from lawmakers across the aisle who view it as a practical solution to a recurring problem. While some critics argue that automatic CRs may reduce pressure to reach long-term budget agreements, supporters like Tuberville emphasize the importance of discipline and accountability.

In Alabama, where federal installations like Redstone Arsenal and Maxwell Air Force Base play a vital role in the economy, the legislation is likely to resonate with constituents concerned about the ripple effects of shutdowns.

What's Next

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act will now move through committee review and debate. If passed, it could reshape how Congress approaches fiscal deadlines-replacing brinkmanship with a mandate to stay put and finish the job.

For full legislative text and updates, constituents can follow the bill's progress through official Senate channels or Tuberville's congressional website.