Posted on 01/12/2019 5:27:20 PM PST by Kaslin
A group of conservative Senators on Friday introduced legislation to permanently keep the federal government open and prevent future shutdowns. The End Government Shutdowns would automatically create continually resolutions, which continues funding agencies even when politicians are debating on the budget.
The bill is sponsored by Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, who has introduced the legislation every year since he was elected to the Senate in 2010, Deseret News reported. Sens. Steve Daines (MT), Mike Lee (UT), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Chuck Grassley (IA), Johnny Isakson (GA), Mike Enzi (WY), John Barrasso (WY), and Jim Risch (ID) have all signed onto the bill.
The reason the bill has come forward is simple: Portman wants lawmakers to create budgets while discouraging "last-minute, haphazard stopgap" measures, like continuing resolutions.
"This legislation will accomplish that goal, providing lawmakers with more time to reach a responsible resolution to budget negotiations, giving federal workers and their families more stability, and ensuring we avoid disruptions that ultimately hurt our economy, taxpayers and working families," Portman said in a statement.
"And it provides stability and predictability without allowing Congress to pat ourselves on the back for averting a self-made crisis," Lee said. "Shutdowns create instability and unpredictability not only in government, but also for many families and businesses that interact with the federal government. Shutdowns are not a responsible way to govern."
The bill would automatically create continuing resolutions for those regular appropriation bills that are not approved of by Oct 1. After the first 120 days, the funding would be reduced by one percent. It would then be reduced by one percent again every 90 days Congress fails to pass a spending bill.
The current government shutdown is the longest shutdown in U.S. history, with more than 800,000 federal government workers furloughed or working without pay.
Yeah, but 1% every 90 days doesn’t cut it ... that’s 1% over three months. Now, if they made a 10% or 20% cut every 90 days, that would be putting pressure on the lazy bastids ...
It will not produce budgets.
It will perpetuate the debt.
The anti-conservatives are ever eager to remove every arrow from their shrinking quiver.
Agreed. She is just about the worst there is.
Too funny - they call them Conservative and have folks like Murkowski in the mix....ever since the elections, I have also had my doubts about Mike Lee....if they are trying to prevent future shutdowns, they have to be promoting continuing resolutions for the welfare crowd and the hell with supporting your President....bigger waste ‘for the cause”....
Why read when outrage is so much more fun?
I have a better idea. Lay off around 10% of all government workers.
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