Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025
The Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025 would add a new provision to the federal budgeting law that automatically provides continuing funding for federal programs if Congress has not enacted regular appropriations by the start of a fiscal year. This automatic funding would run at a reduced level (initially not more than 94% of the prior year’s funding for each program) and would step down by 1 percentage point every 90 days. The aim is to keep the government operating rather than shut down, while limiting new or expanded spending. Mandatory and entitlement programs would continue at current-law levels, and agencies would allocate funds proportionally based on prior-year apportionments. The mechanism could extend into the next fiscal year if a regular appropriation or continuing resolution is not enacted. The bill also imposes limits on front-loaded spending and requires that expenditures count against the applicable appropriation when a regular bill or CR finally becomes law.
Key Points
- 1Automatic continuing appropriations (Sec. 1311): If no appropriation act is enacted for the new fiscal year and no continuing resolution is in effect, funds are automatically provided to continue programs at up to 94% of the prior year’s rate, with funding based on the most recent comparable act or continuing appropriations law.
- 2Gradual rate reductions: The initial 94% funding rate decreases by 1 percentage point after each 90-day period, with reductions continuing in subsequent 90-day periods. These reductions can extend beyond the fiscal year end.
- 3Entitlements and mandatory programs: For programs funded by entitlements or mandatory spending (e.g., SNAP, and other programs funded under current law), funding continues at the level necessary to maintain current program operations under existing law.
- 4Funding periods and apportionment: Money provided under this automatic mechanism is available from the first day of a lapse in appropriations until a regular appropriation or CR becomes law, and agencies must apportion funds in the same proportions as in the prior year.
- 5Limitations and protections: The mechanism avoids front-loading (high initial spending) and prohibits grants or actions that would preempt final funding decisions. It does not apply if another law explicitly authorizes or prohibits funding for a given program.