[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5542 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5542
To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic
continuous appropriations, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 23, 2025
Mr. Barr introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Appropriations
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A BILL
To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic
continuous appropriations, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
Sec. 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the ``End Government Shutdowns Act''.
Sec. 2. Automatic Continuing Appropriations
(a) In General.--Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section:
``Sec. 1311. Continuing appropriations
``(a)(1) If any appropriation measure for a fiscal year is not
enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year or a joint resolution
making continuing appropriations is not in effect, there are
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to continue any program,
project, or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding
fiscal year--
``(A) in the corresponding appropriation Act for
such preceding fiscal year; or
``(B) if the corresponding appropriation bill for
such preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in
a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for
such preceding fiscal year.
``(2)(A) Appropriations and funds made available, and
authority granted, for a program, project, or activity for any
fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be at a rate of
operations not in excess of the lower of--
``(i) 99 percent of the rate of operations
provided for in the regular appropriation Act
providing for such program, project, or
activity for the preceding fiscal year;
``(ii) in the absence of such an Act, 99
percent of the rate of operations provided for
such program, project, or activity pursuant to
a joint resolution making continuing
appropriations for such preceding fiscal year;
or
``(iii) 99 percent of the annualized rate
of operations provided for in the most recently
enacted joint resolution making continuing
appropriations for part of that fiscal year or
any funding levels established under the
provisions of this Act, for the period of 30
days. After the first 30-day period during
which this subsection is in effect for that
fiscal year, the applicable rate of operations
shall be reduced by 1 percentage point. For
each subsequent 30-day period during which this
subsection is in effect for that fiscal year,
the applicable rate of operations shall be
reduced by 1 percentage point. The 30-day
period reductions shall extend beyond the last
day of that fiscal year.
``(B) If this section is in effect at the end of a
fiscal year, funding levels shall continue as provided
in this section for the next fiscal year.
``(3) Appropriations and funds made available, and
authority granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section
for a program, project, or activity shall be available for the
period beginning with the first day of a lapse in
appropriations and ending with the date on which the applicable
regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law
(whether or not such law provides for such program, project, or
activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations
becomes law, as the case may be.
``(b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority
granted, for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year
pursuant to this section shall be subject to the terms and conditions
imposed with respect to the appropriation made or funds made available
for the preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such program,
project, or activity under current law.
``(c) Expenditures made for a program, project, or activity for any
fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable
appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation
bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the
end of a fiscal year providing for such program, project, or activity
for such period becomes law.
``(d) This section shall not apply to a program, project, or
activity during a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than
an authorization of appropriations)--
``(1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or
grants authority for such program, project, or activity to
continue for such period; or
``(2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be
made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall
be granted for such program, project, or activity to continue
for such period.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections of chapter 13 of
title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 1310 the following new item:
1311. Continuing appropriations.
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