Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
- senate
- house
- president
Last progress September 4, 2025 (3 months ago)
Introduced on September 4, 2025 by James Lankford
House Votes
Senate Votes
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Presidential Signature
AI Summary
This bill would keep the government running if Congress misses a funding deadline. If funding lapses, agencies automatically get money at last year’s rate so programs can keep operating. This auto-funding starts right away and lasts for 14 days at a time, renewing every 14 days until a new funding law is passed . Safety‑net benefits and other mandatory payments, including programs under the Food and Nutrition Act (like SNAP), would continue at the level needed to meet current law .
During this period, spending is kept lean. Agencies may not front‑load large payouts or issue new grants that could tie Congress’s hands later. Only the minimum funding needed to keep things going should be used. Agencies can, with approval, shift up to 5% between their accounts to cover higher‑priority needs, and Congress is notified of these moves. Once a regular funding bill passes, costs are charged to that new law, and the automatic funding stops .
| Who is affected | What changes | When it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Federal workers, federal programs, and people who rely on benefits (including SNAP) | Automatic “keep the lights on” funding at last year’s rate, renewed every 14 days; limits on big upfront spending and new grants; small, approved fund shifts allowed | Starts on the first day of a funding lapse and lasts until a new funding bill or a continuing resolution is passed |