Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2021

Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2021

This concurrent resolution sets forth a framework for automatically providing continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect.

For an initial 90-day period, the framework would provide continuing appropriations at 99% of the rate for the preceding year to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year. It would then reduce the continuing appropriations by 1% after the first 90-day period and by an additional 1% for each subsequent 90-day period until the applicable appropriations legislation is enacted.

Bill 117 H.Con.Res. 52, also known as the Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of preventing future government shutdowns. The bill proposes that if Congress fails to pass a budget or a continuing resolution to fund the government by the end of the fiscal year, automatic funding would be provided at the previous year's levels for a period of 120 days.

During this 120-day period, Congress would be required to stay in session until a budget or continuing resolution is passed to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. This provision is intended to ensure that essential government services continue to operate without interruption, even in the absence of a formal budget agreement.

The bill also includes provisions to withhold pay for Members of Congress and the President in the event of a government shutdown, as well as to prohibit the use of funds for certain non-essential government activities during a shutdown. Overall, the Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2021 seeks to address the issue of government shutdowns by implementing measures to ensure that essential government services continue to be funded and operational, even in the absence of a formal budget agreement.