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Waltz Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to End Government Shutdowns

“Following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, it’s clear to me we need to create stronger incentives for more Members of Congress to come to the table and do the job the American people sent them here to do,” Waltz said. “What federal workers and servicemembers in our Coast Guard were put through this past month was unacceptable. This bipartisan legislation would motivate Members of Congress to be part of finding a solution in a timely manner.”

Yesterday, Congressman Michael Waltz (R-FL) co-sponsored the bipartisan End Government Shutdowns Act (H.R.791), which would permanently prevent government shutdowns from taking effect.

“Following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, it’s clear to me we need to create stronger incentives for more Members of Congress to come to the table and do the job the American people sent them here to do,” Waltz said. “What federal workers and servicemembers in our Coast Guard were put through this past month was unacceptable. This bipartisan legislation would motivate Members of Congress to be part of finding a solution in a timely manner.”

The End Government Shutdowns Act, introduced by Troy Balderson (R-OH), amends 31 U.S.C. § 13 to automatically trigger continued levels of discretionary funding for 120 days, should not all appropriations measures be agreed upon by the end of the fiscal year. If within those 120 days, appropriations agreements have not been made, a one percent cut in all discretionary funding—known as a sequester—will take effect. After 90 days, if still no appropriations agreements have been made, another one percent cut will take effect, subsequently every 90 days until appropriations have been made.

The End Government Shutdowns Act is the House companion to U.S. Senator Rob Portman’s (R-OH) identical legislation (S.104).