Efforts to Prevent Government Shutdowns in 2025

U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville from Alabama are backing a new legislation aimed at avoiding government shutdowns. The “Government Prevention of Government Closure Act 2025,” reintroduced by Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma, has both Britt and Tuberville listed as co-sponsors.

This proposed law aims to prevent a federal shutdown if Congress fails to pass all 12 annual budget bills on time. It accomplishes this by introducing a continuous resolution (CR) that automatically maintains funding at the previous fiscal year’s level for two weeks.

While the CR is in place, Congress members must remain in Washington, D.C. until the budget is finalized. They won’t have access to taxpayer-funded travel, extended breaks, or official trips abroad during this time. These restrictions will also apply to Congressional staff and officials from the White House Office of Management and Budget.

The terms of the CR dictate that lawmakers must meet daily, even on weekends, with only budget-related votes allowed until all spending bills or long-term CRs are approved.

“I intend to stay at work until everything is finished,” Tuberville commented on the legislation.

Britt expressed, “The people of Alabama sent me to the Senate to deliver results on their behalf. We cannot continue the practices that lead to unsustainable national deficits and irresponsible spending. A government shutdown serves no one and is often wielded as a political tool to justify unrestrained spending. It’s time to make Washington function effectively again.”

The reintroduction of the Prevention of Closure Act comes ahead of the September 30 deadline for government funding. With 2026 approaching, Democrats may push for CRs that might include spending cuts or significant policy changes, raising the threat of a potential shutdown.

Beyond the Alabama delegation, additional support for the act comes from Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming, Steve Daines of Montana, John Cornyn of Texas, Ted Budd from North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee. Britt and Tuberville previously co-hosted a version of this bill during the 118th Congress.

In the House of Representatives, Budget Chairman Jody Arrington from Texas is advocating for similar legislation.