Congress·In Committee·S. 2721

Sen. Lankford Introduces Bill to End Government Shutdowns with Automatic Funding and Travel Bans

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025

7 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

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Key Points

This bill creates automatic backup funding to keep the government running if Congress fails to pass spending bills on time. Funding would continue in rolling 14-day periods at the previous year's spending levels until a new budget is signed.
From policy text
“Appropriations and funds made available and authority granted under paragraph (1) shall be available for a period of 14 calendar days.”
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Members of Congress, their staff, and Office of Management and Budget employees would be banned from official travel during any automatic funding period, with narrow exceptions for returning to Washington, D.C., local D.C.-area travel, and national security emergencies.
From policy text
“no amounts may be obligated or expended for official travel by a covered officer or employee during a covered period.”
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Lawmakers would also be barred from using campaign donations to pay for official travel while automatic funding is active, closing a potential loophole around the travel ban.
From policy text
“during a covered period (as defined in section 3 of the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025), a contribution or donation described in subsection (a) may not be obligated or expended for travel in connection with duties of the individual as a holder of Federal office.”
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During automatic funding periods, the House and Senate would be locked into session and forced to focus almost entirely on passing spending bills. They could not recess for more than 23 hours or take up unrelated business without a two-thirds supermajority vote.
From policy text
“it shall not be in order to move to recess or adjourn for a period of more than 23 hours”
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If enacted, the law would take effect on September 30, 2025 — the last day of the federal fiscal year and the typical deadline for government funding. It would permanently change how funding lapses are handled going forward.
From policy text
“This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on September 30, 2025.”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Sep 4, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Sep 4, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Whenever a funding lapse occurs after enactment

Travel bans and session restrictions kick in during any future funding lapse

Whenever the automatic funding is triggered, Members of Congress would be barred from traveling, forced to stay in session, and required to focus on passing spending bills — adding real personal pressure to reach a deal quickly.

Related News

4 articles

Government Executive·7 months ago

Legislation to end government shutdowns returns to Capitol Hill

Rep. Jodey Arrington and Sen. James Lankford reintroduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act to end costly budget impasses. The bill triggers an automatic 14-day continuing resolution if appropriations lapse, keeping the government open while forcing lawmakers to stay in D.C. until a deal is reached.

Alabama Political Reporter·7 months ago

Sens. Britt, Tuberville sign onto legislation to prevent government shutdowns

Alabama Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville joined as co-sponsors for the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025. The legislation would trigger a rolling two-week funding period at previous levels if deadlines are missed, while banning taxpayer-funded travel for Members and staff.

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Bristow News·4 months ago

Preventing government shutdowns: Lankford's fix for a costly issue

Following a 41-day shutdown in October 2025, Senator James Lankford is pushing his Prevent Government Shutdowns Act. The bill would automatically extend funding in two-week increments and ban official travel and campaign spending to force lawmakers to remain in D.C. and finish budget work.

Related Bills

4 bills

S. 2806Related bill

Eliminate Shutdowns Act

Sep 29 — Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2806 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 533) made in Senate.

H.R. 5552Related bill

Eliminate Shutdowns Act

Sep 23 — Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 5870Related bill

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act

Oct 31 — Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R. 5130Identical bill

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025

Sep 4 — Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.